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Is asbestos a silent killer in Massachusetts?
Matthew Reid
What do schools, churches, post offices, movie theaters, hospitals and barbershops all have in common? They are all places you might visit during the course of your day.
They’re also places that could very well contain high levels of asbestos.
And you can add your very own home to that list.
Materials containing asbestos -- mineral fibers often included in construction materials and automotive parts -- were used everywhere for much of the 1900s. Asbestos was hailed as a super product, primarily for its durability and fire-resistant qualities, and its usage peaked in the 1970s.
It wasn’t until scientific and medical studies were conducted around that time that there was a widespread understanding of the chemical's cancer-causing properties. A 1989 ruling issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banning most asbestos-containing products was overturned just two years later, and while partial bans and restrictions have been in place since, asbestos remains a legal material today.
Rebecca Farnum, who lives in Dedham, said she once renovated a house that had high levels of asbestos uncovered during the demolition process. She knew of the material’s existence in older structures, but said she was shocked to find out it’s still in use today.
“Call me naïve, but that’s nuts to me,” Farnum said. “Even if they say it’s used more smartly now or it isn’t dangerous under most conditions, you mean to tell me they don’t have other products that could do the same thing that they could use? It doesn’t make sense, with the technology we have now, to still be using a product that they knew caused cancer decades ago.”
Piping, fertilizer and automobile parts are some of the more common potential asbestos-containing products still being manufactured.
In January, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey led a coalition of states in filing a petition with the EPA, calling on the agency to issue regulations requiring those who import asbestos or use it domestically to give the agency the information it needs about asbestos to address significant risks to human health. The EPA denied the petition in April, and on June 28, Healey and the coalition sued the EPA to compel the agency to issue the new regulations.
“Anything we can do to get this product away from people, whether it’s young children or older adults, seems like a no-brainer,” said Farnum. “Seems like something both sides of the aisle can get behind.”
Around here, ‘asbestos is everywhere’
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 6,388 asbestos-related deaths in Massachusetts between 1999 and 2013, making the state one of the 15 most common for such deaths to occur. A high number of those were from mesothelioma, a type of cancer commonly contracted in the lungs resulting from prolonged exposure to asbestos.
The CDC estimates that more than 1 million workers in the United States are still subjected to asbestos exposure on the job today, adding that the material does not become a problem until it is exposed, either due to construction projects or the general deterioration of a building’s floors, ceilings, walls or pipes.
Adrian Soriano, a licensed asbestos abatement contractor with Waltham-based Soriano Environmental, said for one reason or another, this “unearthing” of previously covered asbestos happens frequently.
“When compared to other places, Massachusetts has a ton of renovations going on and tearing down of old houses for new construction, so of course you’re going to come across a lot of asbestos,” Soriano said. “Think about all the houses built in the state before 1980. They’re everywhere. We see asbestos being exposed everywhere, every day.”
Soriano said asbestos-abatement projects can vary in size, and many require homeowners to leave the house for extended periods while work is being done.
“No matter what, MassDEP (Department of Environmental Protection) has to come in and keep track of the job that was done,” he said. “They take it very seriously.”
At the state level, Healey launched the “Healthy Buildings, Healthy Air” Initiative in 2017 to increase safeguards around asbestos. Since September 2016, the AG’s office, with the assistance of MassDEP, has successfully brought asbestos enforcement cases that together have resulted in more than $3 million in civil penalties.
Jason Becotte, director of Universal Environmental Consultants in Framingham, said he understands the need to protect individuals from asbestos and acknowledges the serious health risks that can come from the product being untreated. But he believes the dangers can be greatly reduced if the material is handled by licensed professionals.
“Asbestos is so common that it’s just something that’s there and people accept it,” he said. “I’d be surprised that, in 2019, you had someone who was shocked that their home or office had asbestos material. And I think people know that it’s only dangerous if it’s uncovered."
Becotte likened the material to carbon monoxide, which when found in a home is typically addressed immediately by professionals until the space is livable again.
“I think it’d be impossible to eliminate all the asbestos that’s around. You take care of it as it becomes an issue, but there’s just too much of it out there,” he said. “As long as it’s monitored and treated, people don’t have to worry.”
As for new products hitting the market that may contain asbestos, Becotte said keeping the amounts “manageable” is the way to go.
“The fact is, it’s a good product,” he said. “It’s called a ‘miracle fiber’ for a reason. We need to use it smartly, just like anything else. Lots of products become dangerous if used the wrong way.”
Healey countered that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.
“My office has stepped up our efforts to hold contractors accountable for safely handling this dangerous carcinogen during construction work,” she stated in an email to Wicked Local. “We are also leading efforts to ban American manufacturing and use of this toxic chemical to protect our residents and future generations.”
Dr. Phillip Gray, of MelroseWakefield Radiation Oncology, agreed. He admitted that mesothelioma is a rare disease compared to other forms of cancer, but when present, can be quite devastating.
“This is an incredibly lethal disease,” Gray said. “The survival time can be as low as a year or less. And even the treatment is severe, from chemotherapy to massive surgery to radiation, and often people are too far along to even qualify to have the treatments done.”
Gray said people should be equally aware of being exposed to decades-old asbestos in aging buildings as well as newer products on the market.
“For people with prolonged exposure, it’s a 50-50 chance of contracting the disease, so at that point it’s like flipping a coin to see if you’ll live,” he said. “And for current usage, no amount of exposure is acceptable."
Gray said he knows of no products being manufactured today that rely exclusively on asbestos in order to be made.
Schools fail to make the grade
According to the EPA’s “ABCs of Asbestos in Schools” fact sheet, "the risk of school children being exposed to even low levels of asbestos is a concern.”
The EPA estimates there are asbestos-containing materials in most of the nation’s primary, secondary and charter schools, in everything from floor and ceiling tiles to decorative insulation in hallways and soundproofing materials in music rooms.
Farnum, who has two children in the Dedham school system, said with everything parents have to worry about these days, asbestos can be an easy problem to overlook.
“Kids do active shooter drills, and there’s all the pressures of testing and bullying and everything else, when does it end?” she said. “(Asbestos) is a problem that can get swept under the rug -- literally. But that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be experts who know the problem is there and do something about it.”
The federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act went into effect in 1986 to put protocols and procedures in place to deal with asbestos in school buildings. Under AHERA, all public and private schools must perform inspections of any potential asbestos-containing material every three years, maintain an asbestos management plan that is available at the school, provide annual notification to parents and teachers on the availability of the school's asbestos management plan and designate a school official to manage the oversight of asbestos monitoring.
In 2015, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey co-sponsored a letter sent to all 50 governors inquiring as to how many of their school districts were following the AHERA requirements.
Responses were returned from 20 states, including Massachusetts, and the report that followed indicated both improper asbestos reporting at the local level and also inadequate record keeping practices on behalf of school districts.
“We know so little about current asbestos hazards in our schools, and what we do know indicates we have a widespread problem in addressing this toxic threat,” Markey said at the time. “Decades of inaction have put students and teachers at risk of asbestos exposure. We need to enact legislation that arms consumers with information about where asbestos can be found so they can avoid exposure, and create a more systemic and dedicated commitment to removing it from schools.”
Several school districts in the state have been cited in the past decade for failing to properly train their staff to conduct inspections of asbestos or for not appointing an AHERA representative to oversee the district's compliance with the law. Others failed to notify private contractors on site that asbestos had been found in the areas where they were working.
Schools where violations have occurred include Hadley Elementary School in Swampscott, McCloskey School in Uxbridge and the Gates Intermediate School in Scituate. The state Department of Labor Standards fined Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich $3,300 after nine students were exposed to asbestos while they were renovating a building on school property in 2012.
A major asbestos-removal project took place over the summer of 2015 at the Ezra H. Baker Innovation School in West Dennis after the material was found in classrooms.
Then-Director of Finance and Operations Larry Azer told Wicked Local at the time that the project was overdue.
“All of those rooms have carpet in them that is frankly disgusting, and under that carpet is tile with asbestos,” Azer said. “The asbestos is in the adhesive that was used to put the tile down.”
This past June, a general contractor, two subcontractors, and the Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree agreed to provide worker training and undertake additional actions to settle allegations that they engaged in or allowed illegal asbestos work at the school during the replacement of its heating system in 2014.
“If we’re going to get asbestos out of one place, it should be schools,” Farnum argued. “It’s terrible it exists in office buildings and in private homes, but if I could pick one place where regulations need to be followed and people are held accountable, it’s the buildings where hundreds of kids go every day where they’re supposed to be kept safe.”
To read the States AG lawsuit against the EPA over asbestos regulations, visit tinyurl.com/y2edosua. To learn more about mesothelioma and resources available, visit mesothelioma.com.
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British MP calls for Saudi takeover of Newcastle United to be blocked
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Cuomo says Yankees, Mets will train in NY
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Video emerges of alleged Dallas Goedert restaurant incident
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Three Pakistan cricketers test Covid-19 positive
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Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Shweta deletes her social media accounts
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Ronaldo is lacking match sharpness: Sarri after Cup final loss
The last time was in May 2012, when Napoli won the trophy with a 2-0 win. "It's an honor for me to play against someone who was and is still my idol, so that makes it all the more special". His three years at Napoli from 2015-18 was the ideal embodiment of "Sarri-ball" and they have been the closest challengers to toppling Juventus' league dominance prior to Lazio's super form this campaign.
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Home » Champions League » Football » Premier League » Five things you didn’t know about new Chelsea signing Cuadrado
Five things you didn’t know about new Chelsea signing Cuadrado
How long will it be until Chelsea fans are singing, “there’s only Juan Cuadrado”? Based on the content in the rest of this article, we don’t think it will be long at all.
The Blues’ new recruit finally completed his much-anticipated move to west London on transfer deadline day and, in case you didn’t know who he was, we have compiled a series of interesting facts, stats and videos, which should whet fans appetites of what they could be seeing from the exciting winger.
Joint-top for assists at the World Cup
While James Rodriguez stole the show for Colombia by winning the Golden Boot in Brazil, teammate Cuadrado was providing assists. Take a look at some of the winger’s best performances for the Coffee Growers:
Cuadrado scored 11 goals in Serie A last season
It is very rare that a winger gets into double figures in Italy, though Cuadrado deviated from the norm. The 26-year-old managed 11 Serie A strikes and eight assists last term, helping Fiorentina to a fourth place finish. This term, he struck four to add to three assists in the league.
To score under 3.5 goals this season for Chelsea, he is odds-on at 4/7, while he is 5/4 to better that statistic. During his time at Fiorentina, he dispatched 26 goals in 106 appearances, contributing 21 assists, while last term, he notched up 15 and 11 respectively in 43 outings across all competitions.
Brings versatility to Chelsea
Being able to play in a number of positions is important for Jose Mourinho, though even more desirable for the Portuguese boss is a player’s work rate, something the Colombian has, unlike Andre Schurrle.
Due to Cuadrado’s energy and ability to play anywhere on the right flank, tracking back is ingrained in his blood and this combined with his direct, creative ability will only strengthen the Blues. He could also cut inside from the left should Eden Hazard fancy swapping wings.
Goal against Udinese in Coppa Italia semi-final second leg 2013/14
The player scored arguably the goal of the year in Italy last season in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against Udinese. Had it been a league match, it probably would have won the Serie A goal of the season award. It is worth a watch just to see Cuadrado’s dance moves. How long until John Terry tries to copy them?
Eligible for Champions League
One huge bonus for Chelsea is that Cuadrado will be able to play in the knockout phase of the Champions League. A player of this quality is going to give Mourinho’s side an extra dimension, if the Blues come up against the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. With Fiorentina only competing in the Europa League this term, in accordance to UEFA ruling, this allows Cuadrado to play for a team that are in the Champions League.
The Blues are 7/1 fourth favourites to win Europe’s elite club competition. Can Cuadrado help to make that happen, based on what you have seen above?
« Rejuvenated Reds ready for Bolton battle in FA Cup replay
FA Cup best bet for Man Utd in search of silverware success »
Matt Haynes
A long-suffering Leeds fan, Matt studied Sports Journalism at university, and has a plethora of multi-industry experience. Having worked on behalf of multiple hedge funds and top-tier investment banks in executive search, he has also had a stint with the BBC and the Press Association. Outside of work, he pursues entrepreneurial activities and likes to keep fit.
Although he has interviewed current England manager Roy Hodgson as well as Rafa Benitez and a number of other names, he is honoured to have spent time in the company of Gordon Banks. Matt enjoys cultivating long-lasting professional and personal relationships, is solution orientated, and supports Coral’s sports content provision.
Who will be the next Lionel Messi?
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Geriatric and Elderly Issues
Hunger and Poverty
Special Education and Rehabilitation
The History of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem
"It was in 1972 that I, as Chaplain, was contacted by a member of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem to conduct a memorial service for one of the inmates of the local prison. An inmate, still a young man, who had committed suicide. Suicide in prison happens frequently. For certain reasons my other Christian colleagues had no ear for the family and the friends of the deceased. I had never heard about this Order and had even little or no knowledge about any such Order! The service was held in a small church. The family and the friends were thankful. The fact that it happened in an (official) church was for most of the attendees a reason to be joyful. It meant that the deceased in any case was a human being. He was not — as people would say — put in a grave as a dog although some dogs get sometimes greater attention than a human being.
The fact that The Order of Saint Lazarus is not restricted to one instituted church is very important. It’s ecumenical in the right sense of the word; Roman Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Anglicans and members of other Christian denominations have always been active. Why? It is an Order; more Eastern than Western. It always was spiritually protected by the Eastern Church. To be exact: by the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate. It is one of the oldest Orders of Chivalry since 1841. Right now the ‘spiritual’ father is the patriarch Gregorius III Laham. Certainly many of such Orders were created in the wake of the Crusades. Its real origins are somehow shrouded in a haze of reality and myth (page 14). The Order base their existence and mission on the story that before the actual Crusades took place there was, outside the walls of Jerusalem, a hospital for lepers under the patronage of Saint Lazarus (www.st-lazarus.nl). This book gives a clear picture of the Order; its quarrels, its schisms, its frustrations, its regional and national downfalls, its links with Governments and so often with the head of the Latin Church. The author reviews the Order in 7 chapters; Medieval Pilgrim Services in the Holy Land, The Brethren of the Order in the Holy Land, The Brethren of the Order in Medieval Europe, The Papal Bull Cum solerti meditation pensamus of 1489, The French First Colonial Empire, The Fused Orders of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Saint Lazarus, & The Modern Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. Certainly important are the aims of today’s evolution and philanthropic activities as seen in the light of our secular world. One of the important witnesses in the world of its humanitarian vocation was the fact that the theologian, missionary and medical doctor Albert Schweitzer (died 1965) was one of the prominent chevaliers. This book is both a well documented report (10 pages bibliography!) and an invitation to respect and to put into practice the message of Christian love and care for our fellowman in present-day society."
Chris Vonck, Rector FVG, published in Acta Comparanda XXVI
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The Cosmopolitan Businessman: World and Worldview of Greek Merchant-Entrepreneurs
“Prof. Ariadni Moutafidou, a renowned historian and expert in the field of Modern Greek socio-economic history, explores in her innovative superb and sophisticated book on the Greek ‘big’ merchant-entrepreneurs, not only their mercantile operations, but mainly their thoughts, views, ideas, notions and beliefs within their own and the ‘outer’ world. Her broadened research encompasses the remarkable rise of Greek long-distance trade and shipping in the Mediterranean followed by their significant entrance into the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans during their golden era from the mid-eighteenth to the beginning of the twentieth century. Based on various rare autobiographical accounts, ego documents and commercial guidebooks as well as complementary archival documents and oral history preserved in second and third generation family accounts, the author firstly outlines the commercial culture of these businessmen. Ariadni Moutafidou then argues that the Greek merchant-entrepreneurs’ world and operations with extended international, economic and socio-economic networks, serve not only as a paradigm, but also constitute an integral, constitutive part of the merchant-entrepreneurs’ cosmopolitan world within the broader European-Mediterranean milieu during the nineteenth century. The Cosmopolitan Businessman broadened the research on the economic, social and cultural worldview of merchant-entrepreneurs, as well as on the interrelations between the ethnic mercantile communities. This rich, in-depth oeuvre offers a welcome challenge and contribution to the cultural, social and economic history of trading Diasporas including the interaction between them and their Jewish counterparts as described by the Greek merchants. Therefore, I strongly recommend publication of the manuscript.”
Orly C. Meron, Associate Professor, Former Head of the Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Israel; Author of Jewish Entrepreneurship in Salonica, 1912-1940: An Ethnic Economy in Transition, Sussex Academic Press, 2011/2013
“I have been acquainted with Dr. Ariadni Moutafidou’s research for many years and am delighted to recommend her book for publication. Dr. Moutafidou is a highly regarded historian whose research presents a fine combination of substantial use of archival material and behavioral theories and models. Her articles have been published in respected journals and in collected volumes. The present book is an original investigation of the social and cultural world of Greek big merchant-entrepreneurs of the nineteenth century. It is the product of an exhaustive and wide-ranging research, based on an impressive collection of primary sources, autobiographical accounts of businessmen, personal papers and commercial reports and other relevant archival documents. This group of businessmen had a great impact in various areas on the development of Greek economy and society. The results of their activities were felt in many important urban centers in the Near and Middle East. This research is a significant contribution to Greek economic history in particular and to nineteenth century history of entrepreneurship in general. It will constitute an important source of documentation for historians in this field as well as for economists specializing in international trade and business networks. On these grounds, I warmly recommend the publication of this excellent manuscript.”
Prof. Jeannine Horowitz, Head Program of Hellenic Studies, University of Haifa
“I have known Dr. Ariadni Moutafidou for almost two decades and held her and her historical research in great esteem. I have read the manuscript of her latest work, The Cosmopolitan Businessman, with interest and I think it is minutely researched, carefully argued, and elegantly presented. It brings to life the complex world of Greek merchant entrepreneurs in the nineteenth century, seen in the broader context of historical developments in the Near and Middle East. It will definitely be of interest to specialists in the field but its informative and narrative virtues will also be appreciated by any reader with broader historical interests. I therefore have no hesitation in recommending its publication.”
Pantelis Lekkas BA (Sussex) PhD (Cantab), Professor of Political Sociology, Faculty of Political Science & Public Administration, University of Athens, Greece
“Building upon a profound historical knowledge, from which my own studies on European Philhellenism have very much profited, Moutafidou’s scholarship embarks on new explorations of the factors shaping the physiognomy of the 19th century Mediterranean world. The cosmopolitan Businessman offers a vivid account of and an erudite study on the trajectories of entrepreneurial action in intercultural spirit. The book maps persuasively the contribution of Greek merchants to the formation of the First Globalisation. An indispensable reading.”
Dr. Dr. Konstadinos Maras, Research Fellow Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI), Essen University of Duisburg-Essen
“This original study opens new avenues to our understanding of the social and cultural world of Greek entrepreneurs of the modern era. It offers fascinating insights into the ideas and concepts of rising entrepreneurs in a traditional economy that has undergone processes of modernization. Historians of Greek economic and social history as well as economists specializing in international trade and business networks will certainly be delighted to read this book.”
Prof. Gad Gilbar, University of Haifa
Nationalism: Past as Prologue
“No-one writes, or thinks, with the same passion, fearlessness and accessibility as Bruce Johansen and Ad Akande, figures who have been speaking truth to power on global environmental and indigenous issues for over forty years. You’re going to scream at this work that nationalism is not all bad, but you’ll also learn much more than you ever expected and finish it determined to make changes and learn more. Enjoy!”
Professor Joy Porter, PI Treatiedspaces.com, Leverhulme Major Research Fellow, Professor of Indigenous History, United Kingdom;
Editor of the Cambridge University Press Series, Elements in Indigenous Environmental Research
Genocide and Geopolitics of the Rohingya Crisis
“In his book, Genocide and Geopolitics of the Rohingya Crisis, the scholar General Aminul Karim uncovers the broader canvas of the topic, painstakingly consulting the plethora of existing literature, interviewing various experts, and offering his own analysis and conclusions. General Karim begins with a background of the Rohingyas in Arakan and of modern Burma including its various insurgencies. He then moves on to the strategic importance of the area. Being resource rich, the oil and gas fields are controlled by an enterprise, in which the senior military officers who run the country have economic interests. Major world powers and big corporations have their eyes on these resources. Added to this is the location along the Bay of Bengal, which is vital for Chinese access to the Indian Ocean. Removing Rohingyas strengthens the control of these forces on the area and consequently, upon the resources. Examining the legal issues in subsequent chapters, the author concludes that the Myanmar regime is certainly guilty of committing genocide, but because Myanmar is not a member of ICC and because implementation of the ICJ decision depends largely on the UNSC, punishment of the perpetrators cannot be guaranteed. Chapters 11 and 12 enter into the main theme of the book—geopolitics, and the possibility of a local Muslim insurgency…In his concluding chapters, through interviews, the author suggests some solutions. Sadiqul Islam of Laurentian University, Canada, considers the expulsion of the Rohingyas into Bangladesh an act of war. Professor Delwar Hossain of Dhaka University thinks even a limited war on this issue is quite unlikely. This reviewer has looked into history, and seen that no such problem involving a crime of genocide has been resolved peacefully. The issue is likely to be prolonged and in such a case, the growth of an insurgency and recruitment of young zealots by international terror groups is a distinct possibility. To resolve the problem, General Karim suggests that great powers like China, Russia, the US, and the UN and other international organizations work together to ensure citizenship for Rohingyas and their repatriation, and federalism and autonomy in Myanmar. Alas, the Myanmar state looks unlikely to proceed this way; nor are the great powers showing any such inclination. The author agrees that this sounds like tall-talks, but he would still like to be optimistic. Unfortunately, going by the proceedings so far, there seems little space for such optimism. All said and done, this book is unique in as much as it has the intellectual dimension of an academic. It also reflects the strategic perspective of a professional who has had a decades-old career in military and security matters. A remarkable work, this book would be useful both for researchers as well as policymakers who can devise strategies to handle the issue in the years to come…READ MORE"
Reviewed by Md Touhid Hossain, Former Foreign Secretary, published in The Daily Star (December 24, 2020)
Perturbation Methods in Matrix Analysis and Control
“The sensitivity of a given mathematical object (or of the corresponding computational problem) is among its most important properties. It shows how the solution of the problem varies under the perturbations of small changes in the data. This property is subject of the so called Perturbation Theory which is widely used in Science and Engineering. In the separate scientific disciplines various perturbation theories have been developed which differ in the problems solved and mathematical methods used, for instance in the Celestial Mechanics, Theory of Nonlinear Oscillations and Control Theory. All these theories are based on the idea to investigate a system whose behavior deviates slightly from the behavior of a simple ideal system for which the full solution of the problem under consideration is known. Perturbation Theory for Linear Operators, which is relevant to the given case, was created by the physicists Strutt and Lord Rayleigh [17] and Schrödinger [16] and the modern perturbation theory for linear operators is developed by Kato [7]…In this book, the authors present new, original results in perturbation linear algebra and control, based on the Method of Splitting Operators and Lyapunov Majorant Functions. Combined with the Schauder or Banach fixed point principles, this method allows to obtain rigorous non-local perturbation bounds for a set of important objects in matrix analysis and control theory. Thus, the perturbation problems in these important fields are investigated in a uniform way, which presents a significant contribution to perturbation theory. As a direction of further work, I would recommend to extend the results obtained to the case of component-wise perturbation analysis in order to find perturbation bounds for the individual super-diagonal elements of the Schur form and for the angles between the perturbed and unperturbed invariant subspaces of the matrix. This will allow to develop full perturbation theory in this important form and go deeper into the properties of the corresponding problems…READ MORE”
Reviewed by Ivan Popchev for the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Cybernetics and Information Technologies, Volume 20, No 4, Sofia, 2020
Disciplines of the City: New Forms of Governance in Today’s Postmetropolises
Please click here for a review by Alejandra Ríos Ramírez (Departamento de Gobierno y Ciencias Políticas, Universidad EAFIT- Colombia) published in Daimon International Journal of Philosophy, nº 82 (January-April) 2021.
Please click here for a review by Paula Aguadero Ruiz (Graduada en Humanidades, M. U. en Filosofía, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona/España) published in Salamanca Notebooks of Philosophy, Vol. 47, 2020, 639-642, ISSN: 0210-4857.
The Thin Pink Line: Regulating Reproduction
"Women’s health has been regulated and politicized for much longer than we like to admit. When we look back through our own history, the truth is both alarming and eye opening. The use of women’s health and reproduction as a political tool has simplified the issue down to abortion access and care. And despite the importance of this topic, and the relevance to modern life, the history of women’s care is so much more than one single political issue. Many of us don’t know the roots of racism and misogyny in medicine and reproductive care. Many of us don’t want to acknowledge the past. As a fertility physician, I see first-hand how the history of women’s health plays a role in our everyday life. This is because reproduction is not talked about. From menstrual cycles, to infertility and miscarriage. The culture of silence and ignorance, which was a part of society long before women started leading conversations, is so ingrained in human behavior that an active movement is needed to discuss the past and change the future. As technology advances faster than research, we must understand the ethical principles that guide us as a field. Honestly, there are parts of this book that are hard for me to read as a gynecologist. Things I know are true, and things I know that I wish were in the past, but sadly are not completely. I have seen women die from lack of medical care, I have taken care of patients who have been victims of female genital mutilation, I have seen the discrimination and hate laid at the feet of a trans person, I’ve watched how we treat our incarcerated, and I’ve had patients sterilized by the government who had no idea the procedure was done. I am a woman who believes in education and empowerment. But this is not just our history, it is also our present. Dr. Curchoe Burton, a reproductive physiologist and senior clinical embryologist, has watched the first stages of life unfold in a dish in the lab. She has seen the ethical debate that exists in the reproductive world when it comes to research, legality of embryos, personhood, and the advancement of technology. If you ever sit in a lab and watch the first cells of human life divide, then you know – there is art in this science. But the responsibility to protect this beauty becomes your burden. We must not let ignorance be the guiding light regulating female reproduction by politicians and those with other motives. In The Thin Pink Line, Dr. Curchoe Burton has given life to something more – a telling of the past, present, and future with precision and an absolute attention to detail, as I know reflects her role overseeing life in the embryology lab. The reproductive world is undergoing an evolution. There is high interest from tech companies and money being funneled into an industry of patient care. The largest network of fertility clinics in the US is led not by physicians, scientists, or embryologists, but by businessmen, and the people who are behind the industry advancing the science in our own IVF labs are all coming from outside medicine. At face value, advancement is always good. More money will be put into development and acquisition and new technology. But respecting research and upholding ethical principles is essential for our own society’s growth. In order to do this, we must collectively understand the history of how we came to be as a field, the origins of women’s health, and how reproduction has been, and continues to be, regulated."
Dr. Natalie M. Crawford, MD, MSCR, FACOG
The Homo within the Sapiens
“The Homo within the Sapiens is a very unique book written by Jorge A. Colombo, MD, PhD. The scope of the book is fascinating because in just 107 pages, Dr. Colombo covers the development and evolution of mankind from its early start until the present digital era. The book is very well documented and includes many bibliographic citations. I definitely recommend reading this book.”
Enrique De Argaez, P.E., MBA
Editor of www.internetworldstats.com
Editor, Miniwatts Marketing Group, Internet Marketing Research
“This is another fascinating book by Jorge Colombo, who is one of a rare breed of neuroscientists that takes an interest in the brain not only from a purely biological perspective, but also approaching the origins of human nature from different angles such as the humanities and social sciences. Without a doubt, this is an intriguing combination since it makes us reflect philosophically and scientifically on who we are, where we are going, how we have created this world with its many inequalities, what challenges await us in the future and many other important issues regarding humankind in the context of the present society. I would highly recommend this book.”
Javier DeFelipe
Instituto Cajal (CSIC), Madrid
Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales
Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges of College Students
“Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges of College Students, a book of edited chapters by Seungyeon Lee (2020), is a delightful volume, and allow me to tell you why. It is wonderfully diverse from several different perspectives. The broad topics that you expect to find in a volume about college student success are here, but there are also niche topics that many readers will find innovative. There are chapters about college student mental health, resiliency, achievement, career decision-making, procrastination, motivation, parental influence (including overparenting), substance use, and relationships – all topics that education professionals need to understand about college students. I also appreciated chapter authors who took a deeper dive into narrow topics – like the sophomore slump, how the campus physical environment exerts its own “ambient power,” the benefits to forming a book club for students, how college students struggle spelling difficult words, how on-campus animal-assisted activities influence final exam scores, and how students process grieving when a loved one dies during their college experience. This volume gives you the best of perspectives — the macro and the micro – and the chapters are expertly assembled. I also noticed and appreciated the diversity of methodological approaches used across the chapters. Some of the chapters serve as expert review chapters/updates on a particular topic, other chapters provide the literature review feature and also present new empirical data—quantitative, qualitative, case study, and mixed method approaches were utilized when new data were shared. When you have been in higher education as long as I have (32 years as I write this), there are times when you read a journal article or a book chapter and you are just as impressed by the curated reference citation list as you are by the prose of the text. That was true in many instances in reading this book, particularly for Chapters 5, 7, 13, and 15 – I’m not going to tell you the topics of those chapters in hopes of tempting you further to read the book. Let me also mention another feature of this book I really liked – every chapter has an abstract. I wish all edited books had an abstract or synopsis at the beginning of the chapter – I found that very useful. If you care about college students, you need to read this book. It will provide you with insights about the key areas surrounding college student success and stimulate new ideas about perspectives you may not have considered previously. Seventeen sets of chapter authors have provided you with up-to-date citations and conclusions in areas of importance. I am a fan of the “one good idea” (OGI) approach; that is, if I come away with truly one good idea from a conference, a journal article, a book – then that is a success because truly good ideas are hard to come by (in my opinion). So as I am reading Chapter 2 by Natalie Burick and Crystal Machado, not only do they report on the existing research on the “sophomore slump,” but they also conduct a qualitative study to better understand this phenomenon. They offer specific recommendations for sophomore student success based on the results of their study (presented on p. 29) – I’ve never this type of detailed, excellent recommendations before to specifically counter the sophomore slump. For me (at the very least) that’s my one good idea that I will take away from reading this edited book. What will be yours?”
R. Eric Landrum, PhD
Department of Psychological Science
Boise State University, Boise, ID
Geopolitics in the Twenty-First Century: Territories, Identities, and Foreign Policies
“The contributors to this important book recognize that (neo-)classical geopolitics remains the best prism through which to view and understand the global power shifts of the 21st century.”
Francis P. Sempa
Author of Geopolitics: From the Cold War to the 21st Century
“Sir Halford Mackinder the founding father of classical geopolitics articulated its purpose. Ultimately it was to: “give judgement in practical conduct”. This insightful and well researched book underscores his wisdom. Furthermore, it performs two additional functions. First it provides a clear pathway out of the dark valley of critical geopolitics. Secondly, it places an emphasis on the importance of moving beyond the current misinterpretation of geopolitics as a mere synonym of international strategic rivalry. We are presented with a picture of the constellation of forces which exist at a particular time and within a particular geographical frame of reference. The analysis that is delivered enables an understanding of the emerging complexities of international relations. If you want to understand the geopolitical patterns that will dominate the rest of the twenty first century then this book is an excellent place to start.”
Dr. Geoff Sloan
For Older Book Reviews, Please Click Here
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(Not) Model Behavior: Car Models with the Most Speeding Tickets
Promoted by Insurify
There are a lot of stereotypes about which cars are most likely to speed, but these are the models that actually have the highest rate of speeding tickets.
Picture the following scenario: You’re cruising down the highway during a nice summer day, admiring the scenery in front of you. All of a sudden, another car whips by in the next lane over, going at a speed well over the legal limit. Ask someone who didn’t witness the event what kind of car was speeding and they would probably lean into the well-worn stereotype: some type of sports car, perhaps a BMW or Mercedes. There might be some truth to that stereotype. After all, those types of cars have the capability for higher speeds. The question is, does the data actually back up that stereotype? To find out, the research team at Insurify decided to look at the numbers to discover which car models are most guilty of speeding.
National averages. In total, 11.28 percent of drivers had a prior speeding ticket on their record. The average selling price of a car in June 2019 was $37,285.
Cheaper cars, more speeding. Of course, when it comes to purchasing a car, the term “cheap” is relative, as shown by the average selling price listed above. Nevertheless, all of the cars that made the list had a base manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) significantly below the average selling price.
No pattern by brand. The data shows that the car models with the highest proportion of speeding tickets came from a variety of brands. In fact, seven different car manufacturers saw at least one of their models crack the top 10, and no maker was represented on the list more than twice.
An absence of traditional racers. Many car manufacturers that have historically been big names in the racing world—such as Ferrari, Chevrolet, Ford, and Honda—missed out on the top 10, as other brands more adept at producing sedans, trucks, and other suburban vehicles claimed many of the top spots.
To determine which car models are cited for speeding most often, the research team at Insurify, a website to compare car insurance quotes, took a look at their database of over 1.6 million car insurance applications. To apply for quotes, drivers input personal and vehicle information, including the model of car they drive and whether or not they have been convicted of speeding in the past. The research team analyzed the number of cars for each model with a prior speeding violation against the total number of each model to determine the proportion with a speeding violation. They then selected the models with the 10 highest shares of ticketed drivers. Data on the cars’ MSRP and horsepower was compiled by USNews and Autoblog.
10. Hyundai Veloster
Percentage of Veloster drivers with a speeding violation: 14.48%
MSRP (base model): $18,500
Reported horsepower: 147-201
The Veloster is certainly cheap, boasting the second-lowest MSRP of any vehicle on the list. Hyundai describes the Veloster as “a unique expression of Hyundai’s bold side,” and as having “a sportier, more aggressive design.” Perhaps drivers of the vehicle are taking that advertising to heart.They’re certainly aggressive on the roads, as nearly 15 percent of the drivers in Insurify’s database who own a Veloster have a prior speeding citation.
9. Subaru Impreza
Percentage of Impreza drivers with a speeding violation: 14.66%
Reported horsepower: 152
The Impreza is a classic midsize vehicle with remarkable durability. According to Automotive Lease Group, Inc. (ALG), it retains more residual value than any other car in its class. It’s also affordable, with the third-lowest base MSRP of any vehicle in the top 10, though it won’t provide you with much power. The base model has the second-worst horsepower of any car on the list.
8. Infiniti G37
Percentage of G37 drivers with a speeding violation: 14.72%
The Infiniti G37 was discontinued after production of the 2013 model, and rebranded as the G40, but it still ranks in the top 10. Nevertheless, it’s one of the more versatile cars on the list, with convertible, sedan, and coupe models. It’s also one of the most powerful cars on the list. The G37’s reported horsepower range is the third-highest of any vehicle in the top 10.
7. Dodge Dart
Percentage of Dart drivers with a speeding violation: 14.86%
Much like the G37, the Dodge Dart is no longer made. Production stopped in 2016 in the United States due to poor sales, despite the Dart being Dodge’s only compact sedan. Evidently, despite its low price—the Dart is as the cheapest model on this list—and excellent safety ratings, it didn’t perform well with consumers. Sales maxed out at 87,908 units in 2015. For comparison, the Toyota Camry—which was the highest-selling midsize sedan of 2015—sold over 400,000 units that year.
6. Dodge RAM 2500
Percentage of RAM 2500 drivers with a speeding violation: 15.32%
Pickup trucks are more often associated with long cruises in rural areas than aggressive speeding, thanks in part to a multitude of country song lyrics, but the RAM 2500 appears to be the exception. It is the only pick-up truck in the top 10, and over 15 percent of drivers of the RAM 2500 have at least one prior speeding violation. The car is also one of the pricier and most powerful cars on the list, with the third-highest base MSRP and highest horsepower of any vehicle on the countdown.
5. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Percentage of Wrangler Unlimited drivers with a speeding violation: 15.35%
Much like the RAM 2500, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited doesn’t come to mind when you think of a vehicle flying down the highway at high speed. Nevertheless, Wrangler Unlimited owners have an issue with driving too quickly. The car isn’t cheap, either. The Wrangler Unlimited, which is the slightly larger and pricier version of Jeep’s highly popular Wrangler, is the second-most expensive car on the list.
4. Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Percentage of Genesis Coupe drivers with a speeding violation: 15.75%
The Genesis Coupe is the second Hyundai model to crack the top 10, though it is no longer produced. Like the Dodge Dart, the last Genesis Coupe model was the 2016 version. Alongside the Veloster, the Genesis Coupe is also one of just two Korean vehicles on the list. Drivers seem to be keen to enjoy its horsepower—which is higher than all but one other car in the top 10—as motorists in a Genesis Coupe speed at a rate more than 25 percent greater than the national average.
3. Volkswagen GTI
Percentage of GTI drivers with a speeding violation: 16.92%
Just one model in Volkswagen’s popular Golf series of vehicles, the GTI is designed to be more of a high-performance car than the traditional Golf, with a high-powered engine that exceeds the capacities of the standard model. It’s also affordable, as one of the five cheapest vehicles on this countdown.
2. Scion FR-S
Percentage of FR-S drivers with a speeding violation: 19.09%
Scion, a former offshoot of Toyota, was a brand designed to appeal to younger drivers that went defunct in February 2016. The FR-S was designed with a sports-car feel in mind, with Car and Driver magazine saying that the car offers “sports-car agility on a budget.” That aforementioned appeal to younger drivers may have something to do with the car ranking so highly on this list. Research from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has shown that young motorists, especially teens, are more likely to speed.
1. Subaru WRX
Percentage of WRX drivers with a speeding violation: 20.12%
No car model boasts a higher percentage of speeding drivers than the Subaru WRX. Over one-fifth of drivers that own a WRX have been ticketed for driving too quickly in the past, a rate that’s 60 percent greater than the national average. On the bright side, the WRX is also one of the safest cars on the market. It earned the highest possible safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), thanks in part to newly developed driver assist technology that Subaru claims can reduce the rate of rear-end collisions by up to 85 percent.
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Artist buys paintings worth $60,000 to help other artists during pandemic
bySonal
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The pandemic has been tough on all of us. This unprecedented event has caused many to lose their means of livelihood, plunging many into poverty and destitution.
One category of people that have been most affected by this is artists. With most art galleries and museums across the world shut down, artists across the world are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain.
And here is the story of one artist who is going doing all he can to help his fellow artists.
43-year-old New York based artist Guy Stanley Philoche is renowned for his colorful textured abstract artworks and his own paintings sell for over $100,000.
However, in these tough times, Philoche has spent more than $65,000 in buying work from struggling artists across the world.
It all started when one of Philoche’s friends, who had just become a father, lost his job due to the pandemic, finding it very difficult to make ends meet. And to help his friend in distress, Philoche bought a painting from him.
This made him realize that there could be other artists that are facing such adversities too.
“I told him, ‘Don’t worry, we’re New Yorkers. We’ve been through 9/11, the blackout, the market crash, we’ve got this,'” Philoche said. “But he was scared, so I bought a painting from him to help him get through it. It was such a big deal for him at that moment, and that’s when I realized if he’s panicking like this, other artists are too.”
To ensure that he help his community, Philoche put up a post on Instagram in March asking artists from all over the globe to message him directly with their work if they were finding it difficult to sustain during the pandemic. And soon enough, his inbox was flooded with messages.
Whenever he loved a piece of art, he bought it from the artist and even paid the shipping charges for it to be shipped to his East Harlem studio.
“So many people have reached out to me, telling me the piece I bought was the first art they ever sold,” Philoche said. “It meant a lot to me. I want to help as many artists as possible, to make sure they are able to buy groceries, or pay their rent, or get their kids diapers or formula.”
And quite a few artists were overwhelmed by the gesture of Philoche.
“There was this one artist who had never sold anything in his whole life. I was like, ‘Hey man, I love your work. And you know what, I’m buying two pieces,’” he says. “And he was just like, ‘I’ve never sold anything before. Oh my god.’”
And how did his journey with art begin for Philoche?
Philoche’s family immigrated from Haiti to the United States when he was merely 3 years old.
“Leaving one country to come to another was difficult. I didn’t speak the language, I was awkward and weird and trying to find myself in a new country,” Philoche said. “I learned the language by watching cartoons and reading comics, and found my voice by drawing Disney characters. It’s how it all started.”
And he does admit that he did not find much support in his early days. However, with time, things got better and he became a famous name in the art circles. And this makes him want to give back to his community and support other struggling artists.
“Fast forward twenty years, I’m in the game,” he said. “But throughout those years, I had no one open a door for me. It was me going through the back door, the window, until I found a way in the room by myself. Now that I have a seat at the table and I actually have a voice, I vowed to myself to open that door for other artists.”
“Art saved my life. I owe it a debt I could never repay, but the only way to really repay it is by buying other art from someone who hasn’t gotten a big break yet. And that’s what I’m going to keep doing,” he said.
Isn’t this just a beautiful gesture from Philoche? What do you think? Do share your views with us in the comments section below.
Tags: art galleriesartistcoronavirus pandemicGuy Stanley Philoche
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International | Nepal
Our ethics and values
Options for International Health
Healthcare for all: history in the making, but will it be delivered?
Friday, 4 Oct 2019
The UN General Assembly was historic because it heralded the first ever UN Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage. But can it really deliver for those living at the last mile? Find out in this blog by Jo Elms.
It was never going to be just another United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). As well as the high-security fanfare in New York as world leaders were escorted along cordoned streets and onto the global UN platform, this was an UNGA that was always going to hit the headlines: dramatic global politics coinciding with Prime Minister Boris Johnson downplaying the ruling of the illegal prorogation of the UK parliament, impeachment proceedings being launched against President Trump, and other controversies surrounding other delegates.
What makes the 2019 UNGA historic was not just that it marked the UN’s 75th anniversary or Greta Thunberg’s fantastic speech to urge political leaders to pay more than lip service to taking climate action – firmly directing the world’s attention on bringing the issue forefront of the global agenda. It was also historic because it heralded the first ever UN Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), agreed at the High-Level Meeting on UHC on 23rd September 2019. This includes strong commitments for how governments will make ‘universal’ a reality, illustrated by many world leaders’ claims for shortened distances for remote populations to access health facilities - nice soundbites for “making the last mile the first mile” - a massive re-endorsement of the importance of primary health care[1], and powerful assertions about how UHC is not just about freedom from disease, but the right to a healthy life.
There was some drama too with the politics surrounding the inclusion of sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the declaration - a phrase that the USA and 18 other countries objected to as it would ‘promote practices like abortion[2].’ Worryingly, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar added that U.S. would ‘only support sex education that appreciates the protective role of the family in this education’. Thankfully, objections from the detractors were overruled, largely due to a powerful statement on behalf of 58 countries (including the UK) by the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten of the Netherlands, Leona Marlin-Romeo, that SRHR is ‘integral to UHC and the SDGs’, which received the most resounding applause of the day.
Many statements made the welcome recognition that investing in health is one of the best investments a country can make, and that money spent should be seen as investment, not just as expenditure. This is an important nuance, one that resonates with the driving emphasis that Options places on promoting national ownership for financing health systems in the drive towards UHC.
So once the noise of UNGA soundbites subsides, what change will these high-level statements really make to populations, and can those living at the last mile really be reached first? My search for answers to these questions were mostly in the broad arena of health financing. Not surprising, given Options’ current leadership of domestic financing strategies in the UK government’s flagship programme for Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH). These then, are my top four UNGA takeaways:
The most pertinent discussions were those looking at domestic financing: how will governments pay for health services? The target of 1% extra from GDP is well short of the 5% recommended in the draft statement – there is considerable civil society advocacy on this point.
Where health is treated as a top priority, as recounted by the Rwanda ex-Minister of Health at a thought-provoking side event[3], the priorities are made with ministries of finance as well as ministries of health. In Rwanda's case, this resulted in the allocation of 17% of the country’s budget to health.
Promoting good health involves adaptive management across sectors. An excellent WHO-led session explored the cost of Common Goods for Health (CGH) citing the huge cost of health emergencies and disaster risk management – around $170 bn per year – as compared to investing in CGH which was estimated to cost a twentieth of that[4] – i.e. cross government actions in preventative approaches which would ideally require an adaptive management approach. Tools such as the Pathways of Change methodology that Options has developed for the WISH programme could be applied to support these approaches.
Reliable data is key for promoting accountability - and thereby putting words into action. Options’ experience in the field of maternal and newborn health is that working with multi-stakeholder accountability mechanisms can really shift the political will needed to drive change. The UHC commitments will need good data that can be used to promote accountability and maintain the priority for strong national-level investment in health.
Without meaningful engagement, multi-stakeholder platforms run the risk of tokenism and accountability for UHC commitments may elude those that need it the most, those at the last mile. There have been UN high-level meetings in the past, and many a global commitment made on specific health issues. But for this Political Declaration on UHC to become a reality, it will require financial commitments, prioritisation, good data and accountability. With the right attention in the aftermath of this UNGA, the UHC declaration has the potential to be transformational for the lives of the many that are otherwise left behind.
[1] Echoing 40 years since the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata
[2] Statement from the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Sciences for the UN General Assembly Press, 23/9/19
[4] Data presented by David Peters, Johns Hopkins & Bloomburg School of Public Health at side event on Financing Public Goods
Pathways of change for achieving sustainability results
NEWS | 5 Jan 2021
3 lessons on strengthening countries' domestic resource mobilisation for health
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The Oakland Mills Pause: An Editorical View on the Recent Events at OM
January 25, 2018 Maggie Attridge Editorials Leave a comment
That pause always gets to you. Every single student who has attended Oakland Mills knows the disparaging feeling when you have just told someone where you go to school and their breath catches, as all the stereotypes and preconceived views rush into their head, before the words, “well how do YOU like it” comes out. We have all tried to correct that predetermined view of Oakland Mills that has formed in people’s minds for years, trying to brag about how great the boys soccer team is, or explain how amazing WBAL is going to be in the coming year. Most likely this person has never set foot on the campus or been to one of our football or basketball games. Parents might even have moved away from the area when their child was old enough, just to avoid the possibility of their offspring experiencing new and different cultures.
Recent events have only perpetuated this existing Oakland Mills stereotype, and many are calling for reform, not just at the school, but across Howard County. Activists across the county have tried to change certain reforms for how schools react to violent and nonviolent incidents, though none have proved successful. Last year, Oakland Mills students organized a walkout in protest of how the school reacted to racist social media posts. They were highlighting Policy 9200, which “does not require students and staff to be informed of any ‘direct or implied threat’ made by another student,” explains the Baltimore Sun.
HCPSS Policy 9200 highlights student discipline and the strategies to control student altercations that occur in schools across the county. “{Policy 2900}… expands the tools that teachers and principals have in regards to dealing with issues, to give them more than what is commonly accepted as punishment for infractions or rule breaking.” says Thomas McNeal, Director of Security for Howard County Public Schools. ”It is not as simple as suspensions.” The policy also highlights what teachers should do when a fight breaks out, stating that, ”A principal, teacher, school security guard, or other school system staff member may use the degree of force that is reasonably necessary to prevent violence, order, protect himself/herself, the students involved in the fight or struggle, and other persons in the vicinity of the confrontation.” However, it is common knowledge throughout the school system that teachers are not allowed to intervene in fights, unless they are trained. “Short answer is no one should do anything that they don’t feel they are prepared to do, or comfortable doing. If they feel it is necessary to intervene in a situation to protect someone or themselves from violence, they should also have that ability,” argues McNeal. “But you also take a risk there whenever you intervene of doing so improperly and could cause more harm and damage.”
Oakland Mills is no stranger to disagreements among students, though we are not the only school that suffers from these incidents. In the United States in 2014, there were about 486,400 nonfatal violent victimizations at school among students 12 to 18 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That number has slightly decreased since then due to heightened school intervention programs across the country and an increased focus on the mental health of students. “There are a number of things that are systemic issues, among them the amount of fights are occuring, students being bullied, and students that feel less accepted or that they are not part of the individual school culture,” explains McNeal. ”If I could change anything immediately it would be to address the issues of violence, bullying, and inclusion.”
Oakland Mills High School is unique in the Howard County Public School System, but not for the reasons one may think. We have the best school spirit and our sense of community cannot be beat. When we walk outside people know that we are proud to go to Oakland Mills because of the day-glo orange that covers us. As students, staff, and alumni we should take the “Oakland Mills pause” not as a setback, but as a challenge to prove to the world that we celebrated and recognized for our school achievements and spirit as well as our diversity.
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“Peaceful Trump Response” surrounds Lake Merritt
Andrew Beale on November 14, 2016
Thousands of people linked hands around Lake Merritt Sunday afternoon, forming a human chain that stretched around the entire lake. The crowd danced, played drums, chanted slogans, carried signs and held hands for around two hours.
Event organizer Allison White said she was struck by the frustration and sadness she and others felt after Donald Trump won the presidential election last week. “I wanted a moment to be together, in community, without hate. There’s so much hate and so much violence right now,” she said.
Another organizer had calculated that it would take around 3,700 people to surround the lake, but the crowd exceeded that by several thousand, White said. In some parts of the gathering, attendees were too numerous to fit on the lake’s pathways and spilled over onto the grass. The human chain was broken in some places due to steep terrain and pathways ending, but the spillover crowd that didn’t fit in these parts of the chain more than made up for it.
Many demonstrators carried signs expressing opposition to what many view as hateful rhetoric from the president-elect. One woman carried a sign that read: “Oakland: Hate Free Zone,” and another had one that read: “I do not consent to any of this.”
Attendee Erin Yelda held a sign that said “I am the granddaughter of an Iraqi shopkeeper and a Midwestern beauty queen,” with the anti-Trump slogan “love trumps hate” written in cursive at the bottom. Yelda said though her Iraqi grandfather was Christian, she came to the lake to protest Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims entering the country. She’s also concerned by a rise in racial violence since Trump’s candidacy began a year and a half ago.
“We’re in Oakland, which is the most diverse city in the US, so we’re pretty good at getting along here,” she said. “But just the amount of hate and racial violence we’ve seen in the days since the election, that’s why I’m here.”
Because of the election results, Yelda said, she’s decided to get an Intrauterine Device (IUD) to prevent pregnancy. “He’s threatening to repeal Roe v. Wade, so permanent birth control sounds like a real good idea right about now,” she said.
Most people learned of the event through the Facebook page White created titled “Peaceful Trump Response: Join Hands Around Lake Merritt.” There were 22 “stations” set up around the lake where volunteers held banners reading “#HANDSAROUNDLAKEMERRITT” and collected monetary donations to send winter supplies to Standing Rock, a Sioux reservation in North and South Dakota where protesters have erected a temporary camp blocking the path of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), an oil pipeline they fear will contaminate the reservation’s water.
Volunteer Terri Elliott said Trump stands to gain financially from the construction of the pipeline, which is being built on tribal land without the tribe’s permission in violation of a treaty signed in 1851 between the Sioux and the United States government. According to his campaign’s financial disclosure forms, Trump has invested between $15,001 and $50,000 in Energy Transfer Partners, the company constructing the pipeline.
“By supporting the Standing Rock [demonstrators], we are saying no to Trump and the pipeline at the same time. All these issues are actually connected, you just have to dig a little bit,” she said.
Event organizer White, who is part Cherokee, said she sees a symbolic connection between the water the demonstrators surrounded in Oakland and the Missouri River that the demonstrators at Standing Rock, who call themselves Water Protectors, are trying to defend. “I think that water is very important for us. We need to respect our indigenous traditions,” she said. “I think it’s all connected. We are all connected.”
White said she felt it was especially important to have a peaceful response to the election given the violence seen at demonstrations in Oakland last week. “With all that’s happened with the election and the negativity from the Trump campaign and followers, I had to do something, and I didn’t necessarily want to go out and cause trouble or burn things or destroy things,” she said. “I had to do something positive.”
Demonstrator Hanna Hurley, who married her wife three years ago, said she fears Trump will roll back the gains made in Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights over the past years. “We won’t go back to having our voices silenced,” she said. “We become a better world when all the voices are heard together instead of one voice.”
Victor Kane said he came to the event to show his opposition to Trump, who he called “an absolutely, absolutely disgusting idiot.” Kane, originally from Russia, said he is deeply troubled by Trump’s apparent admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Putin is not a leader, he is not a president. To me his is just a pure, pure, pure dictator,” Kane said. “And Trump knows that and Trump thinks that Putin and him are going to be best friends.”
Thousands of people joined hands in opposition to Trump, forming a human chain the whole way around Lake Merritt. Photo by Andrew Beale.
Organizers estimated over 6,000 people came to the “Peaceful Trump Response” event at Lake Merritt. Photo by Andrew Beale.
Erin Yelda said she came to the event to protest, among other things, Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from the country. Photo by Andrew Beale.
Protesters sang, played drums and chanted “Not My President!” Photo by Andrew Beale.
Many protesters brought their children to the peaceful event. Photo by Andrew Beale.
Volunteers held banners and collected donations for Standing Rock Water Protectors. Photo by Andrew Beale.
The human chain stretched all the way around Lake Merritt, with people spilling over onto the grass. Photo by Andrew Beale.
A protester carries a sign reading “Down with white male America.” Other demonstrators carried signs proclaiming “Oakland: Hate Free Zone” and demanding the electoral college give the presidency to Hillary Clinton. Photo by Andrew Beale.
A young protester holds a sign calling for equal rights for all Americans. Photo by Andrew Beale.
The event ended peacefully at five p.m. Some attendees stayed longer, talking, offering hugs and sharing stories. Photo by Andrew Beale.
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[…] “Peaceful Trump Response” surrounds Lake Merritt by Andrew Beale […]
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2007 OCPI Publications and Collaborations
D.J. Blumenthal, H. Heidrich and K. Sato, “Introduction to the issue on high-speed photonic integrated circuits,” in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 1-2, Jan. 2007. PDF
Y.S. Choi et al., “Dispersive phase response in optical waveguide-resonator system,” in Applied Physics Letters, vol. 90, no. 19, pp. 191108, May 7, 2007. PDF
M.P. Fok, C. Shu and D.J. Blumenthal, “Dual-pump four-wave mixing in bismuth-oxide highly nonlinear fiber for wide-band DPSK wavelength conversion,” in Proceedings of the Optical Fiber Communication and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference, March 25-29, 2007, pp. JTHA52. PDF
M.P. Fok, C. Shu and D.J. Blumenthal, “All-optical ASK-DPSK signal regeneration using a semiconductor optical amplifier,” in Proceedings of the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics: Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference and Photonic Applications Systems Technologies, May 6, 2007, pp. JTuA126. PDF
M.P. Fok, C. Shu and D.J. Blumenthal, “40-Gb/s polarization multiplexed RZ-ASK-DPSK signal wavelength conversion using a 32-cm bismuth-oxide highly nonlinear fiber,” in Proceedings of The European Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, June 17, 2007, pp. CI4_2. PDF
M.P. Fok et al., “Tunable DPSK wavelength converter using an SOA-MZI monolithically integrated with a sampled-grating distributed Bragg reflector,” in Proceedings of The European Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, June 17, 2007, pp. CI1-5. PDF
Z. Hu and D.J. Blumenthal, “Simultaneous Slow-Light Delay and Pulse Reshaping of 10Gbps RZ Data in Highly Nonlinear Fiber-based Optical Parametric Amplifier with Clock-Modulated Pump,” in Proceedings of the Optical Fiber Communication and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference, March 25-29, 2007, pp. OWB4. PDF
Z. Hu and D.J. Blumenthal, “Comparing slow-light properties of 10Gbps RZ data in dispersion shifted fibers and highly nonlinear fibers based on Raman-assisted optical parametric amplification,” in Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 6482: Advanced Optical and Quantum Memories and Computing IV, 2007. PDF
Z. Hu and D.J. Blumenthal, “SPM-Based 2R Regenerative 10Gbps Optically Linearly Controlled Delay Line with 0ps to 170ps Tuning Range,” in Proceedings of the Optical Fiber Communication and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference, March 25-29, 2007, pp. OME4. PDF
B.R. Koch et al., “35 Gb/s Monolithic All-Optical Clock Recovery Pulse Source,” in Proceedings of the Optical Fiber Communication and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference, March 25-29, 2007. PDF
B.R. Koch et al., “Fast Optical Clock Recovery and Signal Regeneration Applications of a Monolithic Mode Locked Laser with DBR Mirrors and an Optical Amplifier,” in Proceedings of the 33rd European Conference and Exhibition of Optical Communication (ECOC), Sept. 16-20, 2007. PDF
B.R. Koch et al., “Monolithic Mode-Locked Laser and Optical Amplifier for Regenerative Pulsed Optical Clock Recovery,” ,in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 19, no. 9, pp. 641-643, May 1, 2007. PDF
V. Lal et al., “Monolithic Wavelength Converters for High-Speed Packet-Switched Optical Networks,” in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 49-57, Jan. 2007. PDF
J.P. Mack et al., “A 40 Gb/s asynchronous optical packet buffer based on an SOA gate matrix for contention resolution,” in Proceedings of the Optical Fiber Communication and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference, March 25-29, 2007, pp. OTuB7. PDF
M.L. Masanovic et al., “Integrated high-performance tunable wavelength converter technologies for future terrestrial and avionic optical networks,” in Proceedings of the 2007 IEEE Avionics, Fiber-Optics and Photonics Technology Conference, Oct. 2-5, 2007, pp. 70-71. PDF
H.N. Poulsen et al., “Network Layer Modeling of WDM Fiber Optic Network Architectures for Aerospace Platforms,” in Proceedings of the 2007 IEEE Avionics, Fiber-Optics and Photonics Technology Conference, Oct. 2-5 2007, pp. 60-61. PDF
J.W. Raring et al., “40-Gb/s Widely Tunable Low-Drive-Voltage Electroabsorption-Modulated Transmitters,” Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 239-248, Jan. 2007. PDF
J.A. Summers et al., “Design and operation of a monolithically integrated two-stage tunable all-optical wavelength converter,” in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 19, no. 16, pp. 1248-1250, July 30, 2007. PDF
J.A. Summers, et al., “A Monolithic All-Optical Push–Pull Wavelength Converter,” in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 19, no. 21, pp. 1768-1770, Nov. 1, 2007. PDF
J.A. Summers et al., “Monolithically integrated multi-stage all-optical 10Gbps push-pull wavelength converter,” in Proceedings of the Optical Fiber Communication and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference, March 25-29, 2007. PDF
J.A. Summers et al., “Concave low-loss total internal reflection mirrors in indium phosphide for high fabrication tolerance,” in Proceedings of the 2007 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), May 6, 2007, pp. CTuH4. PDF
J.A. Summers et al., “Experimental Study of the Impact of Input Signal Suppression on the Performance of a Cascaded SOA-MZI Wavelength Converter,” in Proceedings of the 2007 Photonics in Switching Conference, San Francisco, CA, Aug. 19, 2007, pp. 161-162. PDF
M.N. Sysak et al., “A 10-Gb/s monolithically integrated filterless InGaAsP/InP widely tunable wavelength converter with conversion gain,” in Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 25, no. 12, pp. 3748-3759, Dec. 2007. PDF
M.N. Sysak et al., “Analysis of Digital System Performance in EAM-Based Photocurrent Driven Wavelength Converter,” in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 215-217, Feb. 15, 2007.PDF
M.N. Sysak et al., “Analysis of digital system performance in EAM-based photocurrent driven wavelength converter,” in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 215-217, March 1, 2007. PDF
M.N. Sysak et al., “Regeneration of return-to-zero 10 Gb/s fiber transmission impairments using a monolithically integrated, widely-tunable, photocurrent driven wavelength converter,” in Proceedings of the Optical Fiber Communication and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference, March 25-29, 2007, pp. OThT1. PDF
W.B. Zhao et al., “Monolithically integrated widely tunable 40Gbits/s wavelength converter with optical label modulation function,” in Journal of Optical Networking, vol. 6, no. 8, pp. 1014-1024, Aug. 1, 2007. PDF
D.J. Blumenthal. Lecture, Topic: “Optical techniques for circuits and packet-based networking.” School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, Feb. 2007. PDF
D.J. Blumenthal. Lecture, Topic: “Progress and Planned Future Directions in Optical Processing and Communications.” DARPA/MTO Microsystems Technology Symposium, Microsystems Technology Office, 2007. PDF
D.J. Blumenthal and F. Egan, “Process for automatic data annotation, selection, and utilization,” U.S. Patent No. US20070136657A1, June 14, 2007. PDF
T.G.B. Mason, G. Fish and D.J. Blumenthal, “Integrated wavelength tunable single and two-stage all-optical wavelength converter,” U.S. Patent No. US7310363B1, Dec. 18, 2007. PDF
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phenox
ANEURYSM TREATMENT
p64 MW | p48 MW
Flow Modulation Device
pCONUS
Bifurcation Aneurysm Implant
Coil System
Thrombectomy Device
RX Neuro PTA Balloon Catheter
pRELAX
Vasospasm Treatment Device
ACCESS AND DELIVERY
Microguidewire
Hydrophilic Polymer Coating
Ruhr-Universität Bochum awards Honorary Professorship to Dr.-Ing. Hermann Monstadt
Christian Jagusch 21. Oktober 2020
Award of the certificate of appointment as honorary professor: Dr.-Ing. Hermann Monstadt (left) at the ceremony by the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Ruhr-University Bochum, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marcus Petermann
Ruhr-University Bochum awards Honorary Professorship to Dr.-Ing. Hermann Monstadt
On 20.10.2020, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering awarded Dr.-Ing. Hermann Monstadt the certificate of appointment as Honorary Professor by the Dean Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marcus Petermann, during a small ceremony. The award honours Hermann Monstadt for his many years of commitment as a lecturer for the subject "Materials of Biomedical Engineering and Bionic Materials Research“ at the RUB and at the same time his merits for the development of medical technologies.
Dr.-Ing. Hermann Monstadt studied mechanical engineering at the RUB in 1981 and graduated in 1987. Afterwards he worked as a research assistant at the Institute for Materials from 1987 to 1992 and received his PhD in 1992 under the lead of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erhard Hornbogen. From 1992 onwards, Mr Monstadt worked in a research centre for medical technology before founding two medical technology companies in 1999. After their sale, he also spent three years as Vice President for a US medical technology company.
In 2005 he founded phenox GmbH, a company that is now represented worldwide with a total of three locations and more than 270 employees. 10 years later in 2015, he founded femtos GmbH, also located in Bochum, a start-up company in the field of medical and laser technology.
Throughout his professional career, he has rendered outstanding services to the development of neurovascular medical devices and has been significantly involved in the development of a total of approximately 400 patents and patent applications.
In addition to lecturing at the university, Dr.-Ing. Monstadt would like to contribute even more of his ideas, which have also led to successful funding project applications with the RUB, and to the cooperation with the ZGH (Centre for Interface-Dominated High Performance Materials) of the Institute for Materials. He sees important new growth markets for the medical and materials technology in the field of biofunctional surfaces of implants.
Cookie Handling
MRI Compatibility
© 2020 phenox GmbH
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French Kicks
One Time Bells
by Alison Fields
I'm no fan of geographical stereotypes, residing as I do in the South. Though at a given point of ...
I'm no fan of geographical stereotypes, residing as I do in the South. Though at a given point of cultural fascination, a band's locality may help them sell records (think Seattle, 1992), there's no guaranteeing they'll sound the way you want them to, as all those who bought Sub Pop albums on the off chance that the bands sounded like Nirvana can attest. We live in culture of near-universal ADD, where an 'it' band and a to-the-minute sound have a habit of disappearing from public consciousness with a vicious quickness. We get bored (raise your hand if you groan at the thought of another Chicago-based post-rock band), the music sounds passe (anyone remember the ska revival?), and in most of the above scenarios bands are trapped riding the coattails of the initial breakthrough act, hoping to catch some vicarious limelight before the fashion moment ends.
French Kicks originated out of a high school friendship in Washington, D.C., separated during college, and reunited in the not-too-distant past in New York City. By their location alone, their sound is about what you'd expect. If you've ever wondered what a J. Robbins partnership with the Strokes would sound like, your prayers have been answered, sort of. Some tracks, like the melodic, streamlined "When You Heard You" sound quite a bit like Burning Airlines. Some of the more uptempo songs, such as "Crying Just For Show" and "Right in Time" in particular, sound a lot like the Strokes. The Kicks also look a little like the Strokes, have a catchy name, and walk a stylistic path that places them somewhere between New Wave-influenced, radio friendly rock and roll and dissonant post-punk.
And the results aren't that bad, actually kind of tantalizing at times. Super-clean, methodical music undercut with spare keyboards and drummer/vocalist Nick Stumpf's self-conscious crooning. It seems like a recipe for at least marginal success, so long as the public fascination with this sort of thing doesn't fade into oblivion before One Time Bells has a chance to make the rounds.
But that said, I'm still not sure I like this album. It's not just a question of good songs and bad songs, though there are a few of each. The primary candidates for loser status are the two tracks ("Down Now" and "Close to Modern") in which the French Kicks venture into dangerous blue-eyed soul territory and come off sounding (unintentionally, I hope) like Hall and Oates. I admire the bravery required for including such eclectic material, and the harmonies are nice, guys, really pretty, but...
Likewise, I would recommend that French Kicks be wary of continuing in the vein of their opening track, "Wrong Side." It's poppy and polished, could be a candidate for rotation on MTV2, but it's a bit boring, like a slightly above-average bar band. Just listening to it makes me want to order a beer. (Note to Miller execs: The French Kicks would be ideal for one of your indie rock beer commercials. Much better than Smog. Smog doesn't make me want to party and drink MGD. I mean, I don't really drink Miller beer, but if I did, I would drink it to French Kicks.)
The New Wave-inspired numbers are a more interesting. "1985" (strictly speaking, it sounds a bit more like 1983, but no matter) fuses the French Kicks' fascination with early period Wire with an 80s pop sensibility. Like most of the songs on this album, there are elements here I really like-- the sparse guitar, the atmosphere-- but it's almost like they went back and tried to make the song more accessible after the fact. The harmonies don't fit, for one. The heavier guitars on the choruses sounds contrived. Seldom do I ever think music sounds patronizing, but it comes off like French Kicks are talented musicians who just don't trust their good instincts. Or maybe they can't decide what sort of band they want to be.
"One Time Bells," the title track, with its chiming guitars and consistent melody, is probably the album's best cut. In some ways, it best exemplifies their sound, without all the overt influences and identity crises. So, what I've come up with is this:
While better than some of their previous releases, One Time Bells still isn't a mind-blowing album. But I do think the French Kicks are a good band, and I won't be surprised if, an album or two down the road, they're a great one.
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States of the United States of America
Washington D.C. - the Capital of the United States of America
The State Emblem of the United States of America
United States of America.Washington District of Columbia.
Washington D.C. - the Capital of the United States of America.
Соединенные Штаты Америки United States of America
Главная / Английский язык / United States of America (USA) / США (EN)
Презентация на тему: United States of America (USA) / США (EN)
Natural Man-made Event attractions attractions attractions
Washington is the capital of the USA. It Washington is the capital of the USA. It isn’t the largest city, but it is very beautiful and has many attractions. There is the Capitol and the White House there. In the Capitol the Congress works and in the White House the President lives.
Tourists come here to watch the “Pencil”, Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial or to visit the National Air and Space Museum. The White House is an attraction, too.
There is no city quite There is no city quite like New York. It is known as The City That Never Sleeps. There are thousands of things to do and places to visit for tourists. The most famous landmarks must be The Statue of Liberty - a symbol of freedom and the Empire State Building.
Central park is the largest park of the USA. There are many attractions in this park. Central park is the largest park of the USA. There are many attractions in this park. Sports fans can watch and play baseball. You can relax in Central Park. There is Children’s Zoo there.
Boston is the oldest city of the USA. It is famous for its role in the War for Independence. Tourists can see many interesting things there. In the Public Garden one can go boating on a boat which has a shape of a swan. Every year Boston Marathon takes place in Boston. Many people take part in it. Boston is the oldest city of the USA. It is famous for its role in the War for Independence. Tourists can see many interesting things there. In the Public Garden one can go boating on a boat which has a shape of a swan. Every year Boston Marathon takes place in Boston. Many people take part in it.
Los Angeles is very big, noisy and famous all over the world because there is Hollywood. In Hollywood American films are made. And near Los Angeles there is wonderful fairy land called Disneyland. In Disneyland you can see the characters from Walt Disney’s films. Los Angeles is very big, noisy and famous all over the world because there is Hollywood. In Hollywood American films are made. And near Los Angeles there is wonderful fairy land called Disneyland. In Disneyland you can see the characters from Walt Disney’s films.
There are many natural wonders in the USA. The most widely known is Niagara Falls. It is an Indian word which means “roaring waters”. Other attractions are Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks, Grand Canyon, and the vast desert between Salt Lake City and Reno, Nevada. There are many natural wonders in the USA. The most widely known is Niagara Falls. It is an Indian word which means “roaring waters”. Other attractions are Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks, Grand Canyon, and the vast desert between Salt Lake City and Reno, Nevada.
ART CAR EVENTS ART CAR EVENTS The oldest and largest festival takes place in Houston. Every spring, it attracts curious people from all over the world. After the parade, judges give out all sorts of awards and prizes: Best Classic car, Best Political Statement, Best Art Bicyclist, and many others.
In South Dakota, USA, there is an interesting place to visit. It's a granite mountain. Four faces are carved on the mountain. They are the faces of four famous presidents. The presidents are Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt. These gigantic heads are eighteen meters high. They are carved out of the granite of the mountain and are visible for over eighty kilometers. The monument is now an important place of interest which is visited by thousands every year. The name of this place is Mount Rushmore. In South Dakota, USA, there is an interesting place to visit. It's a granite mountain. Four faces are carved on the mountain. They are the faces of four famous presidents. The presidents are Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt. These gigantic heads are eighteen meters high. They are carved out of the granite of the mountain and are visible for over eighty kilometers. The monument is now an important place of interest which is visited by thousands every year. The name of this place is Mount Rushmore.
There are many children’s attractions in the USA. The most famous are Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida. There is also Island of Adventures in Orlando. There are many children’s attractions in the USA. The most famous are Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida. There is also Island of Adventures in Orlando.
Did you like our trip to the USA? Did you like our trip to the USA? Would you like to go there? What would you like to see in the USA? Why would you like to see it?
1. Disneyland and Hollywood are situated in: 1. Disneyland and Hollywood are situated in: A) Boston B) Washington C) Los Angeles
2. The city that never sleeps: 2. The city that never sleeps: A) Boston B) Orlando C) New York
3. Niagara Falls are: 3. Niagara Falls are: A) Natural attraction B) Event attraction C) Man-made attraction
4. The oldest city of the USA is: 4. The oldest city of the USA is: A) Washington B) Orlando C) Boston
5. Mount Rushmore is famous: 5. Mount Rushmore is famous: A) because it is small B) because it is big C) for the sculpture of four American presidents
6. The largest park of the USA is: 6. The largest park of the USA is: A) Central Park B) Hyde Park C) Royal Park
7. The Statue of Liberty is situated in: 7. The Statue of Liberty is situated in: A) Florida B) New York C) Washington
Professions / Профессии (EN)
Three Guests / 3 гостя (EN)
American Holidays / Американские Праздники (EN)
Определенный артикль "The"
Offices and computers / Компьютеры и офисы
Порядковые числительные
British writers / Британские писатели
Scouting in the World / Скаутинг в мире
Ciao Italia! - Привет, Италия!
My Book of Scotland / Моя книга Шотландии
Прогулки по Парижу
Different kinds of sports (Различные виды спорта)
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Cake Financial Acquired By E*Trade
Jason Kincaid @jasonkincaid / 11 years
Social finance company Cake Financial has just been acquired by E*Trade. The company launched in 2007 at the first TechCrunch50 conference (when it was still TechCrunch40). Cake Financial has just posted a note to its homepage announcing the deal and to inform users that the site will no longer exist as an independent service. Instead, its features will be incorporated into E*Trade’s website.
We’re hearing that there was a bidding war for Cake, and that The Motley Fool was also in the running. CEO Steven Carpenter declined to comment on the details of the deal.
We’ve included the full text of the notice below:
To All Members and Users of Cake Financial-
I am excited to announce that as of today, Cake Financial is now a proud part of E*Trade Financial Corporation and aspects of the Cake service will be incorporated into the E*Trade website. As of January 14, 2010, the Cake Financial website will cease operation as an independent service. We are honored to be a part of the E*trade family and believe that E*trade can make the vision we had for all investors a reality.
I want to assure you that in the course of this transition, the financial information in your Cake account and the private data you’ve shared on Cake is safe. Your information is encrypted and will be deleted and destroyed. For those of you that paid for either Cake Premium or Cake Comparison, you will be reimbursed fully.
Since launching Cake in September 2007 as one of the first class of TechCrunch40 companies, the team has worked tirelessly to give investors the proper clarity into their portfolios to ensure they were achieving the best returns possible. This past summer, we launched an industry-leading recommendation service so that average investors like you and me could get the same kind of insights those with multi-million dollar portfolios receive.
On behalf of everyone that worked on Cake, thank you for your loyalty and patronage over the past two years. I wish you peace and prosperity in the coming year and beyond.
Cake launched with the ability to let users share their current investment portfolios with their peers, and built out quite a few other features in the following two years, like the Cakedex social stock index. Last August, it launched a new premium service designed to serve as an automated investment advisor.
It’s worth pointing out that the acquisition appears to center on Cake’s team and technology rather than its user base — rather than absorbing Cake’s users into E*Trade, the notice above states that user data will be deleted and destroyed, with premium users getting reimbursements.
CrunchBase Information
Cake Financial
Information provided by CrunchBase
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DC public schools modernization could learn from charter sector
August 17, 2017 August 17, 2017 mlerner10 Charter School Facilities
The Washington Post’s Joe Heim reports today that DCPS’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts will re-open next week after the completion of a renovation project that is $100 million over budget and a year behind schedule. The total cost of construction is a staggering $178.5 million. Only 575 students attend the school.
The newspaper goes on to explain that cost overruns such as the one at Ellington are more the rule than the exception when it comes to modernization of the traditional public schools, as was documented in a 2016 study on the issue by D.C. Auditor Kathleen Patterson. From Mr. Heim’s story, “As Ellington’s budget surged to $178.5 million, spending plans for 35 other DCPS school modernizations grew from $586 million to $1.4 billion.”
Charter schools would love access to this kind of cash. However, when it comes to capital expenses, even though charters are public schools just like those of DCPS, they are on their own to raise the money for school renovation. The Mayor and the city council do not provide a dime, leaving it up to the per pupil facility allotment to cover the cost. This is true even when a charter takes over a shuttered traditional public school facility.
So here’s how it works in the nation’s capital. A charter is approved to open. Then it must scramble to find a building, competing for space with other businesses in D.C.’s outrageously expensive commercial real estate market. If it is able to secure a closed DCPS building, that space has typically been decimated by years of neglect. Then the charter must pay to fix up the classrooms at its own expense and then pay the city to rent the structure.
Charters are severely limited in the amount of money banks will loan them for this type of work. There is nothing magical here. A charter school receives $3,193 per student. The average charter school has 400 pupils. This equates to about $1.3 million a year it has to repay a bank for a construction loan. Charters usually allocate around 100 square feet per child. Therefore, it needs a building that is around 40,000 square foot and, according to Building Hope, typically spends $150 to $250 per square feet to renovate the space. For example, when I was board chair of Washington Latin PCS we spent $20 million, the most we could get a bank to loan us, to renovate the former Rudolph Elementary School in Ward 4. The gym would have to wait to be built at a later date since this was all we could afford. Latin spent about $267 per square foot on Rudolph or roughly $33,000 per child. When it comes to Duke Ellington, it cost the city $310,000 per pupil.
Something must be done to even the playing field between charters and the traditional schools when it comes to access to facilities and their renovation. After 20 years of public school reform in this town, we are no closer to a solution.
← New union contract for D.C. traditional school teachers is a boon for charters
Based upon release of 2017 standardized test results, D.C.’s charter school experiment may be wilting →
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Eric Lindsey
Professor, Division of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (Berks)
Relationship context and emotion regulation across the life span
Lindsey, E. W., Feb 1 2020, In: Emotion (Washington, D.C.). 20, 1, p. 59-62 4 p.
Emotions expressed with friends and acquaintances and preschool children's social competence with peers
Lindsey, E. W. & Berks, P. S., Apr 1 2019, In: Early Childhood Research Quarterly. 47, p. 373-384 12 p.
Expressed Emotion
social competence
preschool child
Frequency and Intensity of Emotional Expressiveness and Preschool Children’s Peer Competence
Lindsey, E. W., Jan 2 2019, In: Journal of Genetic Psychology. 180, 1, p. 45-61 17 p.
Cultural Values and Coparenting Quality in Families of Mexican Origin
Lindsey, E. W., Nov 1 2018, In: Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. 49, 10, p. 1523-1538 16 p.
Mutual Positive Emotion with Peers, Emotion Knowledge, and Preschoolers' Peer Acceptance
Lindsey, E. W., May 1 2017, In: Social Development. 26, 2, p. 349-366 18 p.
Same-Gender Peer Interaction and Preschoolers’ Gender-Typed Emotional Expressiveness
Lindsey, E. W., Sep 1 2016, In: Sex Roles. 75, 5-6, p. 231-242 12 p.
Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Among Young Adults: Connections to Gender Role Identity, Gender-Typed Activities, and Religiosity
Harbaugh, E. & Lindsey, E. W., Aug 3 2015, In: Journal of Homosexuality. 62, 8, p. 1098-1125 28 p.
Cognitive Attributions and Emotional Expectancies Predict Emotions in Mother-Adolescent Interactions
Lindsey, E. W., MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Frabutt, J. M. & Campbell Chambers, J., May 27 2015, In: Journal of Early Adolescence. 35, 4, p. 484-510 27 p.
Shared Affect and Dyadic Synchrony Among Secure and Insecure Parent-Toddler Dyads
Lindsey, E. & Caldera, Y. M., Jul 1 2015, In: Infant and Child Development. 24, 4, p. 394-413 20 p.
Mother-Adolescent conflict in African American and European American families: The role of corporal punishment, adolescent aggression, and adolescents' hostile attributions of mothers' intent
MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Lindsey, E. W., Frabutt, J. M. & Chambers, J. C., Aug 2014, In: Journal of Adolescence. 37, 6, p. 851-861 11 p.
Conflict (Psychology)
Physical Activity Play and Preschool Children's Peer Acceptance: Distinctions Between Rough-and-Tumble and Exercise Play
Lindsey, E. W., Apr 1 2014, In: Early Education and Development. 25, 3, p. 277-294 18 p.
Play and Playthings
Mother-child and father-child emotional expressiveness in Mexican-American families and toddlers' peer interactions
Lindsey, E. W., Caldera, Y. M. & Rivera, M., Apr 1 2013, In: Early Child Development and Care. 183, 3-4, p. 378-393 16 p.
Pretend and physical play: Links to preschoolers' affective social competenc
Lindsey, E. W. & Colwell, M. J., Jul 1 2013, In: Merrill-Palmer Quarterly. 59, 3, p. 330-360 31 p.
Girl's and boy's play form preferences and gender segregation in early childhood
Lindsey, E. W., Aug 1 2012, Psychology of Gender Differences. Nova Science Publishers, Inc., p. 9-24 16 p.
Mother-Child emotional expressiveness in early adolescence: The role of youth emotional self-Expectancies
Lindsey, E. W., Beiler, M., MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Frabutt, J. M. & Chambers, J. C., Dec 1 2012, Psychology of Adolescence: New Research. Nova Science Publishers, Inc., p. 75-100 26 p.
Gender Differences in Mother-toddler and Father-toddler Verbal Initiations and Responses during a Caregiving and Play Context
Lindsey, E. W., Cremeens, P. R. & Caldera, Y. M., Jun 2 2010, In: Sex Roles. 63, 5, p. 399-411 13 p.
gender-specific factors
Mother-child and father-child mutuality in two contexts: Consequences for young children's peer relationships
Lindsey, E. W., Cremeens, P. R. & Caldera, Y. M., Mar 1 2010, In: Infant and Child Development. 19, 2, p. 142-160 19 p.
Health status and peer relationships in early adolescence: The role of peer contact, self-esteem, and social anxiety
McCarroll, E. M., Lindsey, E. W., MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Chambers, J. C. & Frabutt, J. M., Aug 1 2009, In: Journal of Child and Family Studies. 18, 4, p. 473-485 13 p.
Self Concept
Marital conflict and adolescents' peer aggression: The mediating and moderating role of mother-child emotional reciprocity
Lindsey, E. W., Chambers, J. C., Frabutt, J. M. & MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Dec 1 2009, In: Family Relations. 58, 5, p. 593-606 14 p.
Marital Conflict and the Quality of Young Children's Peer Play Behavior: The Mediating and Moderating Role of Parent-Child Emotional Reciprocity and Attachment Security
Lindsey, E. W., Caldera, Y. M. & Tankersley, L., Apr 1 2009, In: Journal of Family Psychology. 23, 2, p. 130-145 16 p.
The structure of parent-child dyadic synchrony in toddlerhood and children's communication competence and self-control
Lindsey, E. W., Cremeens, P. R., Colwell, M. J. & Caldera, Y. M., May 1 2009, In: Social Development. 18, 2, p. 375-396 22 p.
Mother-child dyadic synchrony in European American and African American families during early adolescence: Relations with self-esteem and prosocial behavior
Lindsey, E. W., Colwell, M. J., Frabutt, J. M., Chambers, J. C. & MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Jul 1 2008, In: Merrill-Palmer Quarterly. 54, 3, p. 289-315 27 p.
Coparenting, mother-infant interaction, and infant-parent attachment relationships in two-parent families
Caldera, Y. M. & Lindsey, E., Jun 1 2006, In: Journal of Family Psychology. 20, 2, p. 275-283 9 p.
Mother-Child Relations
Q-Sort
Family conflict in divorced and non-divorced families: Potential consequences for boys' friendship status and friendship quality
Lindsey, E. W., Colwell, M. J., Frabutt, J. M. & MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Feb 1 2006, In: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 23, 1, p. 45-63 19 p.
Mother-father-child triadic interaction and mother-child dyadic interaction: Gender differences within and between contexts
Lindsey, E. W. & Caldera, Y. M., Oct 1 2006, In: Sex Roles. 55, 7-8, p. 511-521 11 p.
Correlates of coparenting during infancy
Lindsey, E. W., Caldera, Y. & Colwell, M., Jul 1 2005, In: Family Relations. 54, 3, p. 346-359 14 p.
Interparental agreement on the use of control in childrearing and infants' compliance to mother's control strategies
Lindsey, E. & Caldera, Y. M., Jun 1 2005, In: Infant Behavior and Development. 28, 2, p. 165-178 14 p.
Preschool children's pretend and physical play and sex of play partner: Connections to peer competence
Colwell, M. J. & Lindsey, E., Apr 1 2005, In: Sex Roles. 52, 7-8, p. 497-509 13 p.
Teacher-Child Interactions and Preschool Children's Perceptions of Self and Peers
Colwell, M. J. & Lindsey, E. W., Jan 1 2003, In: Early Child Development and Care. 173, 2-3, p. 249-258 10 p.
Child Behavior
Marital conflict and boys peer relationships: The mediating role of mother-son emotional reciprocity
Lindsey, E. W., MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Campbell, J., Frabutt, J. M. & Lamb, M. E., Dec 2002, In: Journal of Family Psychology. 16, 4, p. 466-477 12 p.
Contextual differences in parent-child play: Implications for children's gender role development
Lindsey, E. W. & Mize, J., Feb 2001, In: Sex Roles. 44, 3-4, p. 155-176 22 p.
Interparental agreement, parent-child responsiveness, and children's peer competence
Lindsey, E. & Mize, J., Oct 1 2001, In: Family Relations. 50, 4, p. 348-354 7 p.
Parent-child physical and pretense play: Links to children's social competence
Lindsey, E. W. & Mize, J., Oct 1 2000, In: Merrill-Palmer Quarterly. 46, 4, p. 565-591 27 p.
Mothers' and fathers' socializing behaviors in three contexts: Links with children's peer competence
Pettit, G. S., Brown, E. G., Mize, J. & Lindsey, E., Apr 1 1998, In: Merrill-Palmer Quarterly. 44, 2, p. 173-193 21 p.
Differential play patterns of mothers and fathers of sons and daughters: Implications for children's gender role development
Lindsey, E., Mize, J. & Pettit, G. S., Jan 1 1997, In: Sex Roles. 37, 9-10, p. 643-661 19 p.
Mutuality in parent-child play: Consequences for children's peer competence
Lindsey, E., Mize, J. & Pettit, G. S., Jan 1 1997, In: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 14, 4, p. 523-538 16 p.
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Former PSG Striker Apologizes for Using Racially Offensive Term in Social Media Post; FA to Investigate
By Eduardo - 1 December 2020, 12:15
Former Paris Saint-Germain and current Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani made a post on his social networks after scoring two goals, including the game-winner for The Red Devils in their 3-2 win against Southampton FC.
On Instagram, the Uruguay international thanked a friend using a racially offensive term, which is being investigated by the Football Association (FA), according to Sky Sports. Eventually, the post came down, and both the club and player issued statements, stressing the word was used affectionately and has different connotations in South America.
A day later, PSG’s all-time leading goal scorer issued an apology on Twitter and an explanation over the deleted post.
pic.twitter.com/speZ5HmMfG
— Edi Cavani Official (@ECavaniOfficial) November 30, 2020
“The message I posted after the game on Sunday was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game,” Cavani said. “The last thing I wanted to do was cause offense to anyone. I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently. I would like to sincerely apologize for this.”
With Les Parisiens heading to Old Trafford this week in a matchday five fixture in the UEFA Champions League group stage, it wouldn’t be out of the question for the British media to ask a capital club player his thoughts on the matter. Considering most of the squad knows the type of person the Cavani is on and off the pitch.
Tags Edinson Cavani Manchester United
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PSG Becoming a Bigger Club Than Arsenal and Manchester United
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‘I Know These Matches Are Not Like the Others’ – Pochettino Discusses PSG’s Trophée Des Champions Fixture Against OM
By Eduardo - 13 January 2021, 8:12
Heading into his third match as the Paris Saint-Germain manager, Mauricio Pochettino will partake in his first Le Classique as the capital club takes on Olympique de Marseille for the Trophée des Champions.
The Argentine tactician spoke to the media ahead of the fixture, where Canal Supporters relayed his words from his press conference.
One of the first questions that Pochettino answers are over the statuses of his two superstar forwards, Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé.
“Neymar is available. We will decide tomorrow whether he plays or not. Kylian is fine. But we are still evaluating alternatives for tomorrow, but he will be in the group anyway. As for his state of mind, I was not there in the previous game in September, but I saw it all on TV,” Pochettino said.
“It’s the past; tomorrow will be another game. Mbappé? Kylian is in perfect condition. As for Ney, we are thinking about various options for tomorrow, to be as competitive as possible.”
Pochettino then discusses his thoughts on his goalkeeper, Keylor Navas, who he recalls seeing from his time in Spain.
“Keylor, I knew him from my time in Spain,” Pochettino said. “He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world. It’s a pleasure to work with him. He’s a great professional. I’m getting to know him, but it’s an honor to have him. After eleven days at the club, we are delighted with the way he is working.”
The 48-year-old then transitions to discussing the fixture against Marseille.
“It’s a special match, already because it’s against the rival, against OM. We know what that means. It’s a pride to represent Paris in these matches. Beyond the title, we know that we must win the meeting,” Pochettino said.
“The most important thing is to win tomorrow. Our goal is to satisfy the supporters. And if we win, we will indeed win a trophy. But for me, the greatest pride is to win.”
Having spent two seasons with Les Parisiens, Pochettino featured in a few Le Classique’s against Marseille, and he recounted his memories from the rivalry.
“I know these matches are not like the others. As I said, there is a special importance for the fans, but also the players,” Pochettino said. “Football is all about emotions, and today we realize with the coronavirus that supporters are really lacking in the stadiums. But yes, I remember those emotions.”
Although Pochettino wasn’t the manager in September when tempers flared between Marseille and the capital club, he doesn’t expect any animosity from both squads.
“It’s true that in this short time that we’ve had, we’ve already played two matches. This is the third, with a special connotation,” Pochettino said. “We focused on different things to improve, but also on emotional control. And not just for tomorrow but for all the matches to come.”
Tags Marseille Mauricio Pochettino Trophée des Champions
Video: ‘The Years Go by and We Stand up to Them More’ – Thauvin Discusses OM’s Loss to PSG in the Trophée Des Champions
Video: ‘We Know That These Are Not Easy Matches’ – Marquinhos on PSG’s Victory Over OM in the Trophée des Champions
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Saint John Bosco (August 16, 1815 – January 31, 1888), born Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco, also called Don Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator who put into practice the dogma of his religion, employing teaching methods based on love rather than punishment. He placed himself under the protection of Francis de Sales (thus his followers styled themselves the Salesian Society) and succeeded in establishing a network of centers to carry on his ministry. In recognition of his work with disadvantaged youth, he was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934. John Bosco was born in Becchi, Piedmont. Early in his childhood he had a vision in which he learned what his life would be dedicated to; in the dream he heard a voice which said, “Not with blows, but with charity and gentleness must you draw these friends to the path of virtue.” Don Bosco began as the chaplain of the Rifugio (“Refuge”), a girls’ boarding school in Turin, but he had many other ministries, such as visiting prisoners, teaching catechism and helping out at country parishes. He slowly organized his helpers into a loose “Congregation of St. Francis de Sales” while also training select older boys for the priesthood. In 1859, Bosco selected an experienced priest, fifteen seminarians and one high school boy and formed them into the Society of St. Francis de Sales. This was the nucleus of the Salesians, the religious order that would carry on his work. When he died, thousands attended his funeral, and very soon after there were popular demands to have him canonized. Bosco was declared Blessed in 1929 and canonized on Easter Sunday of 1934, when he was given the title of “Father and Teacher of Youth.” While Bosco had been popularly known as the patron saint of illusionists, on January 30, 2002, Fr. Silvio Mantelli, SDB, petitioned Pope John Paul II to formally acclaim St John Bosco the Patron of Stage Magicians. Catholic stage magicians venerate Don Bosco by offering free magic shows to underprivileged children on his feast day, January 31.
< Back to History of the Reredos
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Mr Stanislav POLČÁK
TOP 09 and Mayors
Poslanecká sněmova Parlamentu
CZ - 118 26 - Praha 1
polcaks@psp.cz
Member: Group of the European People's Party from 27/01/2014 to 24/09/2014
from 27/01/2014 to 24/09/2014 Representative-Czech Republic
Full Member: Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination (from 27/01/2014 to 24/09/2014)
Full Member: Sub-Committee on Rule of Law (from 28/01/2014 to 24/09/2014)
Alternate of Mr Miroslav KREJČA (Full Member): Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights (from 27/01/2014 to 24/09/2014)
15/07/2014 | Doc. 13474 | Written declaration Protest against the death penalty for activists of the Muslim Brotherhood 15/07/2014 | Doc. 13478 | Written declaration Support Human Rights in Iran and security for Camp Liberty 07/04/2014 | Doc. 13474 | Written declaration Protest against the death penalty for activists of the Muslim Brotherhood 07/04/2014 | Doc. 13475 | Written declaration Kesab: Condemning terrorist attack against civilians in Syria 24/03/2014 | Doc. 13459 corr. | Motion for a resolution Suspension of the voting rights of the Russian delegation (Rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly)
26/06/2014 | Doc. 13513, vote on the draft text for resolution Challenges for the Council of Europe Development Bank 10/04/2014 | Doc. 13483, vote on the draft text for resolution Reconsideration on substantive grounds of the previously ratified credentials of the Russian delegation 09/04/2014 | Doc. 13451, vote on the draft text for resolution Improving user protection and security in cyberspace 09/04/2014 | Doc. 13451, vote on the draft text for recommendation Improving user protection and security in cyberspace 09/04/2014 | Doc. 13434, vote on the draft text for resolution The right to Internet access
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Coming Home Again to Poets & Writers
Published on April 15, 2008 by PoietesLeave a comment
I just finished writing a paper on Poets & Writers for my journals class, and it’s hard to believe that the magazine has been around for over 20 years now. If you have never picked up this magazine or visited the website (www.pw.org), then please don’t wait too long to do so. Poets & Writers is a nonprofit organization that was started in 1970 as a resource for writers, and it has never swayed from its original mission. Throughout the years P&W has given thousands of dollars to writers to conduct workshops or hold readings through their Readings/Workshops program. They also sponsor the Jackson Poetry Prize, and the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award. Whether you are just starting out or you have published several books, you can appreciate what this organization and its publication has to offer.
I was introduced to the magazine when it was still in its infancy by none other than my best friend Mari. The format hasn’t changed all that much. It still features a profile on a literary figures as its lead story, and then other stories related to the craft of writing, whether they be interviews, how-tos, or a feature on trends in the industry. You’ll always find lots and lots of information on grants, writing retreats and colonies, MFA programs, calls for papers, manuscripts, submissions, etc., and the classified section is a veritable treasure-trove of information. Published bi-monthly, the subscription is very affordable, even for those on a limited budget, and if you cannot afford to subscribe, you can read the online version, which has its own content.
If it sounds as if I am a big fan, I am. I used to go through with my pink highlighter and carefully circle all of the retreats that I wanted to go to, and all of the deadlines that I wanted to try to get submissions into, and then I would just as carelessly procrastinate until all of the dates passed me by. It was a game that I played with myself, and I played it very well. Some of you may already be familiar with this game. I believe that it even has some sort of name, something like “fear of success/fear of failure.” Anyway, this went on for a number of years, for as long as I taught at ODU, and then when I stopped teaching, I stopped reading Poets & Writers Magazine. I mean, what was the point? I was never going to be published anyway.
Then the really ironic thing was that I began to write in earnest for the museum and to have my articles published in their journal, but it wasn’t my poetry. Life’s funny that way; isn’t it?
A few years ago, I started to read Poets & Writers Magazine again, and it was as if I had become reacquainted with an old friend, only this one had aged very well. Stylistically, the old black and white newsletter format on white paper had progressed to a nice coated stock, perfect bound. But the content was still there. The prizes were still there, and a few new ones too. It’s nice that you can come home again to some things.
Anyway, as I said, if you’ve never sat down with a copy, go to Barnes & Noble, and buy one this weekend. Make yourself a nice cuppa tea, and peruse the pages. Don’t forget to have a highlighter nearby, just in case. You never know what you might find between the pages . . .
Categories Our Writing Selves, Poets and Writers, The Poems, Writing blogs•Tags journals, poetry, poetry prizes, Poets & Writers, writing
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River Bandits
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Watch live: The presidential inauguration of Joe Biden
PlayUp to do mobile sports betting for New Jersey racetrack
By WAYNE PARRY Associated Press
This Oct. 24, 2020 photo shows the exterior of the Freehold Raceway track in Freehold, N.J. The track, in an agreement reached Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, has partnered with Australian company PlayUp to offer mobile sports betting in New Jersey. Freehold is the third New Jersey track to offer sports betting.
A clerk counts money at the sports betting lounge at Freehold Raceway in Freehold, N.J., on Oct. 24, 2020. Figures released Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, show the state's nine casinos and three horse tracks that accept sports bets took in over $996 million worth of such wagers in December, the latest in a string of monthly records for U.S. sports betting.
A customer makes sports bets at Freehold Raceway in Freehold N.J., on Oct. 24, 2020. Figures released Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, show the state's nine casinos and three horse tracks that accept sports bets took in over $996 million worth of such wagers in December, the latest in a string of monthly records for U.S. sports betting.
Trotters head for the finish line during a horse race at Freehold Raceway in Freehold, N.J., on Oct. 24, 2020. The track, in an agreement reached Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, has partnered with Australian company PlayUp to offer mobile sports betting in New Jersey. Freehold is the third New Jersey track to offer sports betting.
FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey horse racing track is making its move to catch up with the pack in the state's hot sports betting market.
Freehold Raceway, which began taking in-person sports bets in October, has signed a deal with PlayUp, an Australian online sports betting company, to offer mobile sports betting. The agreement was reached Tuesday.
Freehold Raceway is affiliated with Parx Casino in Pennsylvania to offer sports betting in New Jersey.
“Parx Casino is happy to partner with PlayUp in New Jersey as they debut their international expertise of online sports betting in the United States,” said Matthew Cullen, Parx’s senior vice president of interactive gaming and sports.
Laila Mintas, CEO of PlayUp USA, said it hopes to launch its Freehold venture in the first quarter of 2021. The company is also licensed in Colorado and provides sports betting, horse race betting and daily fantasy sports in Australia, New Zealand and India.
The company on Thursday announced an agreement with the New Jersey Devils hockey team and the arena in which they play in Newark that will provide exposure for the team via broadcasts, a logo on the ice and other promotions.
New Jersey is the nationwide leader in sports betting; state gambling regulators revealed Wednesday that the state had taken just under $1 billion worth of sports bets in December alone, the latest in a string of monthly sports betting volume records in the U.S.
The state took in over $6 billion worth of sports bets last year, the overwhelming majority of which were placed online.
Freehold had been seeking an online component since its launch last fall, and had hoped to have one up and running by last November.
The track reported $291,632 in sports betting revenue last year, all of it from bets taken in person.
The runaway leader in sports betting revenue among New Jersey tracks was the Meadowlands in East Rutherford. It won more than $206 million in sports bets last year. In addition to its strategic location just outside New York City, it is affiliated with the online sportbook FanDuel.
Monmouth Park in Oceanport, near the Jersey Shore, won $25.4 million last year.
Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC
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Quotes tagged “Constitution”
“Yeah, that's going to be a problem. It's gonna be a problem for them. This a clear violation of your rights as a consumer. It's an infringement on your constitutional rights. It's outrageous, egregious, preposterous.”
— Jackie Chiles, Seinfeld, Season 7: The Maestro
Tagged: Lawyers, Lawsuits, Constitution, rights, Consumer Rights
“My own American journey was paved by generations of citizens who gave meaning to those simple words -- "to form a more perfect union." I've studied the Constitution as a student, I've taught it as a teacher, I've been bound by it as a lawyer and a legislator. I took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief, and as a citizen, I know that we must never, ever, turn our back on its enduring principles for expedience sake.”
— Barack Obama, Remarks by the President On National Security, 5-21-09
Tagged: Obama: First Term 2009-2012, Presidency, nation, National Security, Security, Threats, Constitution, Politics, America, american journey, American Dream, citizen, Career
“The original purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment, which was ratified in 1868, following the Civil War, was to guarantee all rights granted to citizens in the Constitution to freed slaves. No serious historian could possibly interpret any of the supporting language in the Congressional Record that the birthright citizenship was intended for anyone other than the freed slaves.”
— Donald Trump, Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again
Tagged: Constitution, 14th Amendment, Immigration, Slavery, Civil War
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PRIMA BALLERINA
Misty Copeland becomes the first black principal ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre
PRNewsFoto/Under Armour
Star position.
By Hanna Kozlowska
June 30, 2015 This article is more than 2 years old.
The unlikely ballet star Misty Copeland made history today, becoming the first black female principal dancer at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. She was promoted after 14 years with the company, with more than half her time there spent as a soloist.
Copeland, 32, who had long odds stacked against her, is credited with a resurgence of ballet in the public eye, drawing diverse crowds to performances and garnering a huge following on social media. She grew up poor, living in a motel with her single mother and 5 siblings, and started dancing at the relatively old age of 13. Her teachers noticed potential in her unusual body—a 2014 New Yorker profile noted that “her shoulders were sloped, her legs were long, her knees were hyperextended—which would later mesmerize audiences in “Swan Lake” and ”The Firebird.”
Copeland publicly stated her goal to become ABT’s first black female principal dancer (the black male dancer Desmond Richardson joined ABT as a principal in 1997). Aside from the prestige of becoming the principal dancer, her promotion means more pay, bigger roles, and more prominence in the promotion of performances, according to The New York Times.
She is an outspoken advocate of diversity in ballet, and emphasizes she very much wants to be a role model. In a video for Time magazine, which featured Copeland on its cover last year, she says she wants children to know that you don’t “have to be a white woman that’s rail thin” to make it in ballet.
An Under Armour campaign featuring footage of the muscular Copeland—narrated by a girl reading a fictional rejection letter from a ballet academy in which she is informed she had the “wrong body”—went viral last year:
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May 31, 2020 Admin Homepage, Newsletter, Press Releases
The Rabbinical Alliance of America Joins Klal Yisrael in Mourning the Passing of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, Chancellor of Yeshiva University and Rosh HaYeshiva of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary
The Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 American Orthodox Rabbis — joins Klal Yisrael in mourning the passing of HaRav Dr. Nachum (Norman) Lamm, Chancellor of Yeshiva University and Rosh HaYeshiva of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, Yeshiva University’s affiliated rabbinical school.
Rabbi Dr. Lamm was a master orator whose sermons and lectures enchanted audiences, challenging them to rise to greater heights in religious commitment. He was a fierce advocate for Orthodox Judaism in a time when it was under siege by secularizing and liberalizing forces. Through his efforts, thousands of people learn Torah and observe Shabbat in America, Israel, and around the world. As the author of over a dozen books and commentaries, his scholarship and insights continue to educate and inspire students of Torah.
In his youth, Rabbi Dr. Lamm attended Mesivta Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. At Yeshiva College, the men’s undergraduate school of Yeshiva University, Rabbi Dr. Lamm obtained a chemistry degree in 1949, at which he excelled. Rabbi Dr. Lamm was the secular studies valedictorian of his Yeshiva College class. Rabbi Dr. Lamm also attended a secular postgraduate college, the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. Upon his graduation, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm was considering a career in science, but was persuaded by HaRav Dr. Shmuel (Samuel) Belkin, ZT’L the second President of Yeshiva University, to join the faculty at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Dr. Lamm was a devoted student and confidante of HaGaon HaRav Yosef Dov (Joseph Ber) Soloveitchik, ZT’L who conferred rabbinic ordination on him at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in 1951.
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm’s maternal grandfather was HaGaon HaRav Yehoshua Baumol ZT’L (1880–1948) who authored the Responsa Emek Halakha. In that work, HaRav Baumol cited several insights from his young grandson, and even included responsa addressed to him.
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm spent almost a quarter of a century as a pulpit rabbi. Rabbi Dr. Lamm was appointed rabbi of the West Side Jewish Center (Congregation Beth Israel) in 1952, became assistant rabbi at the Jewish Center on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in 1958, then rabbi of the Jewish Center from 1959 to 1976. During his career as a pulpit rabbi, Rabbi Dr. Lamm inspired thousands with his passionate sermons, using his ample talents as a brilliant scholar and a charismatic speaker to generate excitement for an often embattled Orthodox Judaism.
Rabbi Dr. Lamm was elected President of Yeshiva University in 1976, after which he saved it from looming bankruptcy and raised its endowments as well as its academic rating. Throughout his tenure, Rabbi Dr. Lamm strengthened the financial and academic stature of the school. As Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva University, Rabbi Dr. Lamm was responsible for the education and training of thousands of rabbis and lay Torah scholars. Even after his retirement in 2003, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm remained intimately involved with the educational institution in his positions of Chancellor and Rosh HaYeshiva.
Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America stated, “The Jewish world lost a pillar and a leader. As President of Yeshiva University and Rosh HaYeshiva of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm helped elevate spirituality in America and save American Judaism. Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm was part of the devoted group of post-war educators who worked tirelessly to ensure that Orthodox Judaism thrived in a world that in many ways was hostile to religion in general and Judaism in particular. The Jewish world has lost a dedicated advocate. As a community, we owe Rabbi Dr. Lamm a debt of gratitude that we will always appreciate and be thankful for.”
Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, a graduate of Yeshiva University and of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary stated, “My years learning in Yeshiva were enhanced by the presence of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, ZT’L. I was privileged as a yeshiva student to benefit from the great yeshiva and university that Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm saved from bankruptcy nearly a half a century ago. This relationship is personal to me. Rabbi Dr. Lamm saved the yeshiva where my wife’s father, HaRav Shmuel Borenstein, ZT’L, served as a Rosh Mesivta at MTA-YUHB, and my wife’s grandfather, HaRav Noach Borenstein, ZT’L, served as a Rosh Yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Interacting with Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm helped me develop personally, and has had a profound impact on me for the better.”
Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America stated, “Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm’s accomplishments for Torah and Judaism were remarkable. Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm was from the post-World War Two generation of American rabbis that fought to preserve and make Orthodox Jewry attractive after the destruction of the Holocaust. Rabbi Dr. Lamm contributed a lot to the development of a proud American Orthodoxy. However, for me personally, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm will always be remembered as a Talmid Chacham of the highest caliber who cared deeply about learning. It was that passion for Torah that drove his ability to accomplish and achieve much for the American Orthodox Jewish community.”
May Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, ZT’L serve as a heavenly advocate, a Meilitz Yosher, for his family, the Jewish community and the entire world. May his memory be a blessing.
Rabbi Glatt Update, May 30
BDE Rebbetzin Blank Shiva Information
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The Impact of Employment on the Quality of Life of People with an Intellectual disability
I. Eggleton, S. Robertson, J. Ryan, R. Kober
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paper › Other chapter contribution
Department of Accounting and Finance, Working Paper Series
Department of Accounting and Finance, UW
Eggleton, I., Robertson, S., Ryan, J., & Kober, R. (1998). The Impact of Employment on the Quality of Life of People with an Intellectual disability. In Department of Accounting and Finance, Working Paper Series
Eggleton, I. ; Robertson, S. ; Ryan, J. ; Kober, R. / The Impact of Employment on the Quality of Life of People with an Intellectual disability. Department of Accounting and Finance, Working Paper Series. Department of Accounting and Finance, UW, 1998.
@inbook{d7f37cc31c364b8ca8bfe96053cbe644,
title = "The Impact of Employment on the Quality of Life of People with an Intellectual disability",
author = "I. Eggleton and S. Robertson and J. Ryan and R. Kober",
booktitle = "Department of Accounting and Finance, Working Paper Series",
Eggleton, I, Robertson, S, Ryan, J & Kober, R 1998, The Impact of Employment on the Quality of Life of People with an Intellectual disability. in Department of Accounting and Finance, Working Paper Series. Department of Accounting and Finance, UW.
The Impact of Employment on the Quality of Life of People with an Intellectual disability. / Eggleton, I.; Robertson, S.; Ryan, J.; Kober, R.
Department of Accounting and Finance, Working Paper Series. Department of Accounting and Finance, UW, 1998.
T1 - The Impact of Employment on the Quality of Life of People with an Intellectual disability
AU - Eggleton, I.
AU - Robertson, S.
AU - Ryan, J.
AU - Kober, R.
M3 - Other chapter contribution
BT - Department of Accounting and Finance, Working Paper Series
CY - Department of Accounting and Finance, UW
Eggleton I, Robertson S, Ryan J, Kober R. The Impact of Employment on the Quality of Life of People with an Intellectual disability. In Department of Accounting and Finance, Working Paper Series. Department of Accounting and Finance, UW. 1998
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Armando, Nelly and Guillermo are home for Christmas
Guillermo is getting pretty excited for Christmas. But the 9-year-old boy who loves Lego and Star Wars has already received the best present he could ask for — a home.
Guillermo and his parents, Nelly and Armando, moved out of a shelter and into their own two-bedroom apartment at the beginning of November. “It’s great, it’s a big difference,” says Armando from the family’s new living room at an affordable housing property owned by Bishop O’Byrne Housing.
They lived at Inn from the Cold for eight months, after Armando lost his job. His wife has a medical condition and is unable to work, leaving the family destitute. “We are very grateful to Inn from the Cold,” he says. “But a shelter is not the right place for our son, or any kid.”
As one of RESOLVE’s nine Partners, Bishop O’Byrne staff agree. They approached Inn from the Cold to offer affordable housing for vulnerable and homeless families. Having traditionally housed older adults only, Bishop O’Byrne has recently opened its doors to small families as well. “We have six two-bedroom suites,” says Myrt Butler, Chief Executive Officer of Bishop O’Byrne. “And we need to utilize them to house the people who need it the most.”
Armando is working again, “but my wages aren’t that good.” By going to the food bank and stretching “everything,” the family can just manage the rent. Through RESOLVE, Bishop O’Byrne will be able to lower the mortgage on this building, making it possible to offer more affordable rents to tenants.
As the first family to move into a Bishop O’Byrne building, the family is thrilled with their new home, and their new neighbours. “They’re very friendly, especially with my son,” says Armando. “He’s the king right now. They bring him cookies and everything.”
The other 90 or so residents in the building, mainly seniors, enjoy having children around, says Inna Lukianchuk, whose own grandchildren live far away. “They’re a lovely family. The boy is smart and nice and is he ever polite.”
Having young families in their midst has added vibrancy to the community as well as a little extra holiday spirit to the festive tree in the main floor common area. “On Christmas morning we’re going to knock on their door and say Santa left you something under the tree, then we’re all going to watch him open it,” says Lukianchuk of a plan she and another resident are cooking up for Guillermo.
“There’s nothing nicer than watching a kid open a present and say ‘Wow!’ To me, that will make Christmas.”
See more of Armando, Nelly and Guillermo’s story here:
A shelter is not the right place for our son, or any kid.
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SATRI Profile
Sam Tambani Bio
Dr. Martin Kaggwa
Executive Research Director
Dr Kaggwa holds a PhD in Technology Management, a Masters of Commerce in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He is an accomplished researcher in the interdisciplinary areas of techno-economic analysis and system dynamics policy modelling. Currently he is the Executive Research Director of Sam Tambani Research Institute (SATRI) responsible for the day-to-day operations of the institute. Before joining SATRI, Dr Kaggwa was a Doctoral Fellow at the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University Pretoria and a Senior Lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology. He has been a lead Consultant on a number of research projects on the African continent in the fields of investment and employment, trade and industrial policy, competitiveness, technology policy and renewable energies. He has authored a number of policy-oriented technical reports, scholarly articles in peer and non- peer reviewed journals, chapters of books, and policy briefs
Lerato Mathibedi
Personal Assistant To The Research Director
Ms Lerato Mathibedi holds a B-Tech in Human Resource Management from the Tshwane University of Technology and certificates in Project Management and Public Relations from UNISA and a Toastmaster’s certificate in Public Speaking. She is a member of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM). She has previously worked as a Research Assistant and Tutor at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), a Secretary to the Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Correctional Services, and at Human Resource Management (HRM) Intern at the Independent Development Trust (IDP). She is the Personal Assistant to the Executive Research Director of SATRI.
Pulane Mafoea Nkalai
Senior Research Specialist
Mrs Pulane Mafoea Nkalai holds a Master of Social Sciences from the University of Kwazulu Natal, and a Post- Graduate Certificate in Economics and Development Policy from the Witwatersrand University. She has experience in design and project management of survey research as well as undertaking in-depth qualitative research. Previously, Mrs Nkalai worked with the Mvula Trust, an organisation specialising in Water and Sanitation regulatory impact assessments; and with Ditsela Workers Education Institute where she was a coordinator of research. She has vast experience in facilitation and development of M&E tools in developmental programmes. She is now a Research Specialist at SATRI. Her roles includes undertaking research that has a bearing on the welfare of workers and workers communities especially in the mining, energy and construction sectors of Southern Africa.
The Sam Tambani Research Institute is a Public Benefit Non-profit Company registered in 2012. The idea of establishing the institute was perceived jointly by the NUM and MIT.
Sam Tambani Research Institute
A: 3 Rissik Street, Johannesburg, GP, 2107
E: info@satri.org.za
© 2019 SAM TAMBANI RESEARCH INSTITUTE – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at
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General news, Norway, Singapore
Will Singapore copycat Norwegian sugar tax?
by Maria Andreasdottir • March 21, 2016 • 0 Comments
In over 35 years sugar tax has existed in Norway. It was introduced prior to fiscal reasons, but also due to public health, especially to tackle obesity. Since media recently has reported about Britain will follow the Norwegian way and introduce a tax on sugary drinks to handle an obesity crisis, Consumers Channel NewsAsia asked Singapore if they also would follow suit.
“As with everything, people get used to it, they factor it in, they budget it in,” said Mr. Bill Wong, a 54-year old Singaporean retiree. “I think it needs a bit more public awareness rather than just taxing everything, even though it is a good idea. But we may need to reinforce it with more campaigns to tell everybody that sugar is just as bad as sitting in your office all day.”
The Norwegian sugar tax is today in 2016 7,66 Norwegian Kroner pr. kilograms. Since 2001 the consuming of sugary drinks in Norway has increased. In 1997 every Norwegian drank 93 liters of sugary drinks, but in 2012 the consuming was gone down to 59 liter. It is also Britain’s goal to increase the sugar consuming, and with the upcoming British sugar tax is estimated to lead to an almost 80 per cent increase of price for sugary drinks. Meanwhile in Singapore, the opinions vary about a sugar tax will help.
“Obesity is not just about the drinks. It focuses on your diet as well and also your exercise regime,” said Ms Siti Nurhanizah, a 28-year-old business development senior executive to Channel NewsAsia.
Mr. Marshall Poh, a 28-year-old financial consultant, believes a sugar tax can be helpful. “If prices go up, people might tend to buy less of soda, so there is a chance that obesity might go down,” he said.
Some Singaporeans Channel NewsAsia spoke to said that while people may buy less sugary drinks because of the tax, there is a need to raise public awareness about the ill-effects of excessive sugar.
Figures in 2014 showed that about 1.7 million Singaporeans have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 23 and are at risk of obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
A healthcare expert said that increasing the cost of sugary drinks alone will not help change people’s behaviour.
“If you impose the tax here, what about people going over to Malaysia to consume sugar?” Professor Phua Kai Hong, who teaches health and social policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy asked. “Tax is only one of the instruments and it is a very draconian one. Even if you impose this tax levy, you have to do it together with the rising of awareness and public education. In some cases, just having a debate around this without even having to impose the tax will do the trick, as in the case of Philadelphia.”
He added that if Singapore were to implement such a policy, there may also be adverse effects on industries which depend heavily on sugar.
So far there is no outlook for a sugar tax in Singapore, but the debate is going on in the wake of Britain stating their launching of sugar tax in 2018. According to a global comparison made by The World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2010 there was 45.8% overweight/obese females and 57% overweight/obese males, while in Singapore there is 26.7% obese/overweight women and 24% obese/overweight men.
In Norway the idea of rising the prices for sugary products have helped, and other countries who have already introduced a sugar tax include France and Mexico.
Sources: www.channelnewsasia.com, www.nrk.no, www.theguardian.com,
Norwegian Seafood Dinner 2017 Singapore
A mouthwatering Norwegian taste in Singapore
Norwegian Eurovision winners visits Singapore
← 13 new Finnish visa centres in China
Scandinavian Easter celebrations in Singapore! →
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Chemical Burn Injury Secondary to Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography
Steven G. Venticinque, Vikram S. Kashyap, Robert J. O'Connell
We describe a case of a 72-yr-old male who suffered aerodigestive tract chemical injury resulting from a probable post-processing residual of the high-level disinfectant solution Cidex® OPA (orthophthalaldehyde) used to disinfect the transesophageal echocardiogram probe used for cardiac monitoring during general anesthesia. This case highlights the need for strict adherence to manufacturers' instructions when using chemical disinfectants for transesophageal echocardiogram probe reprocessing.
https://doi.org/10.1213/01.ANE.0000083641.58267.0C
10.1213/01.ANE.0000083641.58267.0C
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Chemical Burn Injury Secondary to Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Chemical Burns Medicine & Life Sciences
Disinfectants Medicine & Life Sciences
Transesophageal Echocardiography Medicine & Life Sciences
Glutaral Medicine & Life Sciences
Wounds and Injuries Medicine & Life Sciences
General Anesthesia Medicine & Life Sciences
Venticinque, S. G., Kashyap, V. S., & O'Connell, R. J. (2003). Chemical Burn Injury Secondary to Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography. Anesthesia and analgesia, 97(5), 1260-1261. https://doi.org/10.1213/01.ANE.0000083641.58267.0C
Chemical Burn Injury Secondary to Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography. / Venticinque, Steven G.; Kashyap, Vikram S.; O'Connell, Robert J.
In: Anesthesia and analgesia, Vol. 97, No. 5, 11.2003, p. 1260-1261.
Venticinque, SG, Kashyap, VS & O'Connell, RJ 2003, 'Chemical Burn Injury Secondary to Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography', Anesthesia and analgesia, vol. 97, no. 5, pp. 1260-1261. https://doi.org/10.1213/01.ANE.0000083641.58267.0C
Venticinque SG, Kashyap VS, O'Connell RJ. Chemical Burn Injury Secondary to Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography. Anesthesia and analgesia. 2003 Nov;97(5):1260-1261. https://doi.org/10.1213/01.ANE.0000083641.58267.0C
Venticinque, Steven G. ; Kashyap, Vikram S. ; O'Connell, Robert J. / Chemical Burn Injury Secondary to Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography. In: Anesthesia and analgesia. 2003 ; Vol. 97, No. 5. pp. 1260-1261.
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title = "Chemical Burn Injury Secondary to Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography",
abstract = "We describe a case of a 72-yr-old male who suffered aerodigestive tract chemical injury resulting from a probable post-processing residual of the high-level disinfectant solution Cidex{\textregistered} OPA (orthophthalaldehyde) used to disinfect the transesophageal echocardiogram probe used for cardiac monitoring during general anesthesia. This case highlights the need for strict adherence to manufacturers' instructions when using chemical disinfectants for transesophageal echocardiogram probe reprocessing.",
author = "Venticinque, {Steven G.} and Kashyap, {Vikram S.} and O'Connell, {Robert J.}",
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journal = "Anesthesia and Analgesia",
T1 - Chemical Burn Injury Secondary to Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography
AU - Venticinque, Steven G.
AU - Kashyap, Vikram S.
AU - O'Connell, Robert J.
N2 - We describe a case of a 72-yr-old male who suffered aerodigestive tract chemical injury resulting from a probable post-processing residual of the high-level disinfectant solution Cidex® OPA (orthophthalaldehyde) used to disinfect the transesophageal echocardiogram probe used for cardiac monitoring during general anesthesia. This case highlights the need for strict adherence to manufacturers' instructions when using chemical disinfectants for transesophageal echocardiogram probe reprocessing.
AB - We describe a case of a 72-yr-old male who suffered aerodigestive tract chemical injury resulting from a probable post-processing residual of the high-level disinfectant solution Cidex® OPA (orthophthalaldehyde) used to disinfect the transesophageal echocardiogram probe used for cardiac monitoring during general anesthesia. This case highlights the need for strict adherence to manufacturers' instructions when using chemical disinfectants for transesophageal echocardiogram probe reprocessing.
U2 - 10.1213/01.ANE.0000083641.58267.0C
DO - 10.1213/01.ANE.0000083641.58267.0C
JO - Anesthesia and Analgesia
JF - Anesthesia and Analgesia
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Metabolomic profiling of schizophrenia patients at risk for metabolic syndrome
R. Madelaine Paredes, Marlon Quinones, Ketan Marballi, Xiaoli Gao, Celina Valdez, Seema S. Ahuja, Dawn Velligan, Consuelo Walss-Bass
Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are commonly used to treat schizophrenia. However, SGAs cause metabolic disturbances that can manifest as metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a subset of patients. The causes for these metabolic disturbances remain unclear. We performed a comprehensive metabolomic profiling of 60 schizophrenia patients undergoing treatment with SGAs that puts them at high (clozapine, olanzapine), medium (quetiapine, risperidone), or low (ziprasidone, aripiprazole) risk for developing MetS, compared to a cohort of 20 healthy controls. Multiplex immunoassays were used to measure 13 metabolic hormones and adipokines in plasma. Mass spectrometry was used to determine levels of lipids and polar metabolites in 29 patients and 10 controls. We found that levels of insulin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were significantly higher (p < 0.005) in patients at medium and high risk for MetS, compared to controls. These molecules are known to be increased in individuals with high body fat content and obesity. On the other hand, adiponectin, a molecule responsible for control of food intake and body weight, was significantly decreased in patients at medium and high risk for MetS (p < 0.005). Further, levels of dyacylglycerides (DG), tryacylglycerides (TG) and cholestenone were increased, whereas α-Ketoglutarate and malate, important mediators of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, were significantly decreased in patients compared to controls. Our studies suggest that high- and medium-risk SGAs are associated with disruption of energy metabolism pathways. These findings may shed light on the molecular underpinnings of antipsychotic-induced MetS and aid in design of novel therapeutic approaches to reduce the side effects associated with these drugs.
International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
second-generation antipsychotics
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Metabolomic profiling of schizophrenia patients at risk for metabolic syndrome'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Metabolomics Medicine & Life Sciences
Metabolic Syndrome Medicine & Life Sciences
Schizophrenia Medicine & Life Sciences
Antipsychotic Agents Medicine & Life Sciences
Cholestenones Medicine & Life Sciences
ziprasidone Medicine & Life Sciences
Aripiprazole Medicine & Life Sciences
malic acid Medicine & Life Sciences
Paredes, R. M., Quinones, M., Marballi, K., Gao, X., Valdez, C., Ahuja, S. S., Velligan, D., & Walss-Bass, C. (2014). Metabolomic profiling of schizophrenia patients at risk for metabolic syndrome. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 17(8), 1139-1148. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1461145714000157
Metabolomic profiling of schizophrenia patients at risk for metabolic syndrome. / Paredes, R. Madelaine; Quinones, Marlon; Marballi, Ketan; Gao, Xiaoli; Valdez, Celina; Ahuja, Seema S.; Velligan, Dawn; Walss-Bass, Consuelo.
In: International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, Vol. 17, No. 8, 20.08.2014, p. 1139-1148.
Paredes, RM, Quinones, M, Marballi, K, Gao, X, Valdez, C, Ahuja, SS, Velligan, D & Walss-Bass, C 2014, 'Metabolomic profiling of schizophrenia patients at risk for metabolic syndrome', International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, vol. 17, no. 8, pp. 1139-1148. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1461145714000157
Paredes RM, Quinones M, Marballi K, Gao X, Valdez C, Ahuja SS et al. Metabolomic profiling of schizophrenia patients at risk for metabolic syndrome. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014 Aug 20;17(8):1139-1148. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1461145714000157
Paredes, R. Madelaine ; Quinones, Marlon ; Marballi, Ketan ; Gao, Xiaoli ; Valdez, Celina ; Ahuja, Seema S. ; Velligan, Dawn ; Walss-Bass, Consuelo. / Metabolomic profiling of schizophrenia patients at risk for metabolic syndrome. In: International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014 ; Vol. 17, No. 8. pp. 1139-1148.
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title = "Metabolomic profiling of schizophrenia patients at risk for metabolic syndrome",
abstract = "Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are commonly used to treat schizophrenia. However, SGAs cause metabolic disturbances that can manifest as metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a subset of patients. The causes for these metabolic disturbances remain unclear. We performed a comprehensive metabolomic profiling of 60 schizophrenia patients undergoing treatment with SGAs that puts them at high (clozapine, olanzapine), medium (quetiapine, risperidone), or low (ziprasidone, aripiprazole) risk for developing MetS, compared to a cohort of 20 healthy controls. Multiplex immunoassays were used to measure 13 metabolic hormones and adipokines in plasma. Mass spectrometry was used to determine levels of lipids and polar metabolites in 29 patients and 10 controls. We found that levels of insulin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were significantly higher (p < 0.005) in patients at medium and high risk for MetS, compared to controls. These molecules are known to be increased in individuals with high body fat content and obesity. On the other hand, adiponectin, a molecule responsible for control of food intake and body weight, was significantly decreased in patients at medium and high risk for MetS (p < 0.005). Further, levels of dyacylglycerides (DG), tryacylglycerides (TG) and cholestenone were increased, whereas α-Ketoglutarate and malate, important mediators of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, were significantly decreased in patients compared to controls. Our studies suggest that high- and medium-risk SGAs are associated with disruption of energy metabolism pathways. These findings may shed light on the molecular underpinnings of antipsychotic-induced MetS and aid in design of novel therapeutic approaches to reduce the side effects associated with these drugs.",
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T1 - Metabolomic profiling of schizophrenia patients at risk for metabolic syndrome
AU - Paredes, R. Madelaine
AU - Quinones, Marlon
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AU - Ahuja, Seema S.
AU - Velligan, Dawn
AU - Walss-Bass, Consuelo
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N2 - Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are commonly used to treat schizophrenia. However, SGAs cause metabolic disturbances that can manifest as metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a subset of patients. The causes for these metabolic disturbances remain unclear. We performed a comprehensive metabolomic profiling of 60 schizophrenia patients undergoing treatment with SGAs that puts them at high (clozapine, olanzapine), medium (quetiapine, risperidone), or low (ziprasidone, aripiprazole) risk for developing MetS, compared to a cohort of 20 healthy controls. Multiplex immunoassays were used to measure 13 metabolic hormones and adipokines in plasma. Mass spectrometry was used to determine levels of lipids and polar metabolites in 29 patients and 10 controls. We found that levels of insulin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were significantly higher (p < 0.005) in patients at medium and high risk for MetS, compared to controls. These molecules are known to be increased in individuals with high body fat content and obesity. On the other hand, adiponectin, a molecule responsible for control of food intake and body weight, was significantly decreased in patients at medium and high risk for MetS (p < 0.005). Further, levels of dyacylglycerides (DG), tryacylglycerides (TG) and cholestenone were increased, whereas α-Ketoglutarate and malate, important mediators of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, were significantly decreased in patients compared to controls. Our studies suggest that high- and medium-risk SGAs are associated with disruption of energy metabolism pathways. These findings may shed light on the molecular underpinnings of antipsychotic-induced MetS and aid in design of novel therapeutic approaches to reduce the side effects associated with these drugs.
AB - Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are commonly used to treat schizophrenia. However, SGAs cause metabolic disturbances that can manifest as metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a subset of patients. The causes for these metabolic disturbances remain unclear. We performed a comprehensive metabolomic profiling of 60 schizophrenia patients undergoing treatment with SGAs that puts them at high (clozapine, olanzapine), medium (quetiapine, risperidone), or low (ziprasidone, aripiprazole) risk for developing MetS, compared to a cohort of 20 healthy controls. Multiplex immunoassays were used to measure 13 metabolic hormones and adipokines in plasma. Mass spectrometry was used to determine levels of lipids and polar metabolites in 29 patients and 10 controls. We found that levels of insulin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were significantly higher (p < 0.005) in patients at medium and high risk for MetS, compared to controls. These molecules are known to be increased in individuals with high body fat content and obesity. On the other hand, adiponectin, a molecule responsible for control of food intake and body weight, was significantly decreased in patients at medium and high risk for MetS (p < 0.005). Further, levels of dyacylglycerides (DG), tryacylglycerides (TG) and cholestenone were increased, whereas α-Ketoglutarate and malate, important mediators of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, were significantly decreased in patients compared to controls. Our studies suggest that high- and medium-risk SGAs are associated with disruption of energy metabolism pathways. These findings may shed light on the molecular underpinnings of antipsychotic-induced MetS and aid in design of novel therapeutic approaches to reduce the side effects associated with these drugs.
KW - Adipokines
KW - metabolic syndrome
KW - metabolomics
KW - schizophrenia
KW - second-generation antipsychotics
JO - The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology / official scientific journal of the Collegium Internationale Neuropsychopharmacologicum (CINP)
JF - The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology / official scientific journal of the Collegium Internationale Neuropsychopharmacologicum (CINP)
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Home » About Us » Background
Solvam Corporation Limited was founded in 2003 by Andrew and Robyn Balfour of Christchurch, New Zealand.
School to Home Communications
We first became interested in school communications in 2005, with the core concept stemming from the founders’ frustration in communicating with their children’s schools, and seeing that same frustration in school administrators. Communications were inefficient and time-consuming, and getting the message across was difficult. We believed there had to be a better way.
School-links
Following the successful trialing of the product in 2006, we moved to take School-links to market. The first step was to obtain Ministry of Education approval for Early Notification, a new initiative to simplify attendance management through the use of technology. We obtained MoE approval in October that year.
School-links Redeux
In 2008 we made the decision to completely rethink and rebuild our product from scratch, in order to lay more solid foundations for future innovations. We changed not only our software product, but also the infrastructure it sat on, and initiated new connections with telecommunications providers for text messaging.
School-links Today
Today, School-links is making a real difference to the communications of New Zealand schools, pre-schools, and organisations. We’re not just helping schools either – organisations like the Tauranga City Council, and Royal New Zealand Ballet Company use School-links to help streamline their communications and use it as a disaster recovery tool.
We are still based in Christchurch, though our business is not quite the same after the earthquake in 2011 removed us from our office in Kilmore Street and have learnt many things around emergency communications as a result.
While many Christchurch businesses suffered as a result of the earthquakes, we thrived as they raised the profile of emergency communication; not just for schools, but for broader community groups. Many schools are still in a position where they have no real solution to contacting all their caregivers quickly in the event of an emergency.
Where We’re Heading
Our goal is to be the leading provider of innovative communications solutions for schools. We’re constantly improving our product and thinking of new tools and features to help streamline workflows and improve the quality of communications.
About Us sub-menu
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Engineering and Roller coasters!
Written by: Science Made Fun! on June 27, 2017 @ 11:33 am
Pupils dilate, heart rate soars, you feel like you’re flying! Somehow you feel weightless and then twice as heavy all in a matter of minutes. You are experiencing the euphoria of riding on a roller coaster! Ever wonder why you feel all these different things? Or how roller coasters came to be?
When did people start riding roller coasters?
Historians trace the first roller coasters back to Russia in the 16th century. They designed and constructed wood-framed sleds to go down Ice Slides. They would find ice slopes reaching 70 feet high, sit on the wooden sleds, and slide down the ice. As this activity gained popularity, Russians rolled down the slopes in wooden carts during the summer. These wooden rolling carts were the first designs for roller coaster cars!
Leap the Dips Coaster - By Bhakta Dano. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5166801
The earliest coasters were wooden with huge lattice structures and resembled railroad tracks. The oldest coaster in America still in operation is Leap the Dips at Lakemont park in Altoona, PA. Built in 1902, Leap the Dips is registered as a Historical Landmark. It boasts a 9ft drop and can reach speeds of 10mph. Coasters have certainly come a long way.
In present day, the fastest coasters can go up to around 150 miles per hour and have drops between 400-450 ft. You could find yourself dangling from a suspended car, twisting in a spiral, going through a loop, and even going backwards. There are still wooden coasters, but to achieve the newest thrilling elements a lot of coasters are made of tubular steel. Currently, the fastest coaster in the world is the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates where it reaches 150mph!
Image Source: Stdragon04 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The physics behind roller coasters involve gravitational potential energy, and Newton’s laws of motion.
Firstly, to understand roller coasters you need to understand potential energy. Potential or stored energy is the energy an object possesses based on its position rather than its motion. When you ride a bike, and reach the top of the hill that is potential energy. If I hold a pencil above my head, it contains potential energy. If I drop this pencil, what happens? The potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as it falls to the ground.
What is pulling the pencil to the ground? Gravity! What is gravity? It is a force that attracts or pulls an object towards the Earth. We can stand on the ground because of gravity. The things in this room are not floating around because gravity pulls them towards the Earth.
As our roller coaster climbs the hill, its gravitational potential energy increases. The higher the car is from the ground, the more gravitational potential energy it possesses. When the car peaks at the top of the hill and starts to go down, the energy converts into kinetic energy. The car possesses kinetic energy due to gravity. As the car goes down the hill, the kinetic energy increases.
When the drop is very high, you get that feeling of weightlessness as you go down. As you plummet, gravity pulls you down while the acceleration pulls you forward. If you are going fast enough the forces balance each other out making it feel as if you are in free fall!
Newton’s first law is also in play on a roller coaster. The first law is all about inertia; an object at rest will want to stay at rest and vice versa. As you navigate the twists and turns, you get jerked around because of your body’s resistance to the change in direction, momentum, or acceleration. You might also feel plastered to your seat as you zoom down a hill – it’s all about inertia!
What about the loops? How come you don’t fall out? Centripetal Force!
As you go through the loop, the forces on your body vary as you go up and around. Besides gravity pulling down, the one thing that remains constant is a force pulling towards the center of the loop; that’s centripetal force! Even if your straps weren’t there you’d still stay in the car because of inertia.
Initial loops were circular meaning the angle of turn was constant all the way round. The downside of the circular loop was that the cars had to enter the loop at an immense speed making it uncomfortable for riders. Engineers switched to a teardrop loop design, which has a sharper turn at the top. The new shape allows the car to have the right amount of acceleration to get up and through the loop with more fun!
Engineers can do amazing things! Next time you are on a roller coaster, pay attention to how your body feels as it moves through the twists and turns. That came straight from the imaginative mind of a roller coaster engineer.
For more roller coaster information please visit the links below:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/circmot/rcd.cfm
http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/roller-coaster5.htm
Tags: roller coaster engineering, roller coaster science, roller coaster STEM, roller coasters, STEM
Catogories: E-News HTHT
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Over 136 students graduate from Asmara College of Health Science
More than 130 students graduated from the Asmara College of Health Science today in M.A, degree and diploma. The graduates include 8 in M.A., 124 in the First Degree and 4 in diploma.
Asmara, 24 July 2010 – More than 130 students graduated from the Asmara College of Health Science today in M.A, degree and diploma. The graduates include 8 in M.A., 124 in the First Degree and 4 in diploma.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Minister of Health, Ms. Amna Nurhusein, stated that the Government continues to exert unremitting efforts towards promoting the nation’s human resource potentials, and thereby ensure social justice and economic emancipation. She further called on the graduates to live up to the nation’s expectations.
The Dean of the College, Dr. Azeb Ogbagebriel, on her part noted that the College has registered impressive outcome in nurturing competent health professionals since its opening in 2005. She indicated that endeavors are being exerted to foster relations with reputed educational institutions abroad so as to ensure the academic competence of the College. Dr. Azeb pointed out that at present 1,382 students are pursuing various courses in the college.
500 graduate from Asmara Teachers Training Institute
Visiting Eritrean nationals from the Netherlands commend development achievements in the Homeland
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Prison and rehabilitation centers in Anseba region registering remarkable accomplishment regarding educating prisoners
The Center for Prison and Rehabilitation in Anseba region indicated that it has registered remarkable accomplishment as regards educating prisoners. Keren, 24 August 2012 – The Center for Prison and Rehabilitation in Anseba region indicated that it has registered remarkable accomplishment as regards educating prisoners.
Maj. Hagos Tekie, Commander of Prison and Rehabilitation in the region, explained that a conducive environment has been created as regards educating prisoners through collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, and that a lot has been achieved so far in building the production capacity of prisoners. Accordingly, the teaching-learning process is underway in 5 class rooms, while 8 out of 11 prisoners who attended National Matriculation Examination have passed.
Mr. Samuel Mebrahtu, director of the school in the rehabilitation center, stated that 80% of the prisoners who have been attending 1st to 9th grade classes have passed, and commended the dedication of teachers vis-à-vis active participation of stakeholders and interested individuals.
Ms. Abrehet Gebre, head of Adult Education in Anseba region, lauded the achievement made by the rehabilitation center, and called on the prisoners to make effective use of the available library.
Construction of new road across Anseba-Lemecheli described vital in development of the area
Tinshai Administrative area witnessing effective utilization of social service facilities
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Tag Archives: Sex Pistols
I’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico lately, and some of my younger friends there have asked why there is such a mystique surrounding the Beatles. So here are my thoughts, especially for my younger friends who know something big was happening at the time but crave more context on the Beatlemania that swept the world in the 1960s.
They only released 12 studio albums over 7 years, but in shaping the modern (post-Elvis) era of music, no other band comes close. 11 of those 12 albums reached #1 on the charts (and the 12th peaked at #2). Nearly every song on every album was a hit. When I look today at Rolling Stone magazine’s list of top 100 Beatles songs, I can sing at least 85 of them right now off the top of my head, and so can many people without even realizing it. No other band has seeped into the popular imagination in quite that way. As an indication of their dominance, even the last song on the Rolling Stone list, #100, reached #1 on the singles charts. During some years, they were releasing hit songs so fast that they were taking up all the spots (e.g., there was at least one week in the mid-1960s when three of the top five songs were all Beatles songs). Keith Richards, who was there at the 1960s epicenter as lead guitarist for the Rolling Stones, once said that there would be no Rolling Stones without the Beatles, because “they kicked the door in” for the Stones and everyone else to follow. (You can see Keith, Mick Jagger, and others in a couple of the later Beatles clips below, as they were usually hanging around for the taping.)
Ozzy Osbourne, whose Satanic antics with his late 60s proto-metal band, Black Sabbath, earned him the nickname “The Prince of Darkness,” was once talking to one of the Sex Pistols in the mid-70s London punk scene. The Sex Pistol (I forget which one) said he didn’t like the Beatles. Ozzy’s response was typical Ozzy: “There’s something fucking wrong with you,” was all he said. But he later added: “For a musician in 1970s London, saying you don’t like the Beatles is like saying you don’t like oxygen.”
The revolutionary work of the Beatles – culturally and musically – is less clear now than it was then, partly (1) because they shaped the sound of music so much to their own image that they now sound like just “one of those 1960s bands,” and (2) their own evolution from beautiful pop love songs to psychedelic rock and experimental sounds, though rapid, was steady enough that no one point seems revolutionary (although some would focus on the 1967 release of the Sgt Pepper’s album as that point). So yes, there were many great bands in the mid-60s to mid-70s reshaping the sonic universe of music, and some of them you might like more than the Beatles, but most of them looked back at the Beatles as the groundbreakers.
Here are a few songs in historical order:
(If it helps measure historical impact, note that even what I’ve listed as “late” Beatles came before the emergence of Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin or the Woodstock festival.)
Early Beatles (1964) https://vimeo.com/241059239
Middle Beatles (1966) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYvkICbTZIQ
Late Beatles (1967): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usNsCeOV4GM
And bonus songs/videos from 1967-68:
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (1967) https://vimeo.com/249451145
All You Need Is Love (1967) https://vimeo.com/214047758
Revolution (1968) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFckPkukF7g
Posted in Cultural History | Tagged 1960s, 1960s music, Beatles, Hippies, Keith Richards, Led Zeppelin,, Mick Jagger, Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols, Sgt Peppers | 18 Replies
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Shaking The Branches
Sharing Stories From My Family Tree
My Ancestors
Finding Out More – John Brawley 1857-1892
January 2, 2021 January 2, 2021 / Shaking The Branches
I have previously written about John Brawley and the circumstances surrounding his death. At the time of writing all I knew about him was that he died young and that made him seem a tragic figure. Of course, one event cannot tell us everything there is to know about a person. From newspaper reports and other records I have put together a bit more of John’s story.
He was born in old Monkland, Lanarkshire on 12 June 1857 and was the first of 11 children of my great, great grandparents, James Brawley and Sarah McLauchlan who had been married in June 1856. His sister Catherine was born in November 1959 but died of diptheria a few days short of her first birthday. Two more siblings were to die at a very young age.
By the time of the 1861 census John was living in Newmains. His father was employed as a furnaceman at the Coltness Ironworks. By the 1871 census John had completed whatever education had been available to him. At just 13 years old he was employed as a miner and was living in Furnace Row, Newmains with his parents and four younger siblings including my great grandfather, Daniel who was born in 1864.
John married Roseann McGuinness in 1877 in Glasgow and the couple welcomed a son, James in 1879. After James came Julia in 1883, Sarah in 1885, Roseann in 1887, Daniel in 1888 and John in 1890.
In 1887 John and Roseann lost two of their daughters; Julia to diptheria and Roseann to meningitis. They died within a few months of each other. It is hard to imagine such terrible loss.
Life was not always easy financially and the family had turn to the parish for assistance on more than one occasion. In February 1886 John was working as a furnace filler at the Coltness Ironworks. An accident left him with a burnt foot and unable to work and he had to plead his case for poor relief. On this occasion he received 4/- to keep his family. In July 1887 he made a further claim and was given the sum of 3/-.
Finding my family in the Poor Law registers always makes me feel sad. Times were very tough and a bit of bad luck such as the injury to John’s foot could drastically alter the family circumstances. So at this point I am feeling very sorry for John.
Then I came across this article from 31 January 1885 which shows a dark side of John’s character.
The circumstances of the assault are very strange and there is no way that John’s actions were justified. What on earth could he have been thinking? This seems to have been an unprovoked attack on a poor woman who received a very nasty injury. And all this while Roseann was at home taking care of a new baby.
Roseann may well have been in court to find out what would happen to her husband. While well deserved, a fine of 40/- would have seemed like a fortune to the Brawley family. From the court John was taken to Duke Street prison in Glasgow.
With her husband incarcerated Roseann was forced to seek help from the parish. This register shows that she was seeking relief as her “husband was in prison of stabbing”. She received 3/-.
And what of John and his time in prison? The admission records still exist and show that prisoner 13361 John Brawley age 28, with a height of 5’9 1/2″ an weighing 158lbs was admitted to Duke Street prison on 30 January 1885 having been convicted of assault at Wishaw Magistrate Court.
I find it quite remarkable that he was released on 31 January after his fine was paid in full. How on earth did he come up with £2? Did the family get together to pay? Quite frankly, after what he did, I would have been tempted to leave him there.
Just a few months later, in July 1885, Roseann and her three children again had to visit the poor house to seek help after “her husband John Brawley deserted her a week ago”. The record does not state where he went or went he returned but leaving his wife and three young children is pretty unforgivable behaviour.
I also found this article from 1891 regarding an assault by a John Brawley and his wife but while I’m sure he would be related I don’t know for certain that it’s the same John Brawley. (Owen Carroll is the only one in the article who is NOT a on my family tree!)
In the 1891 census the family were living with Roseann’s father. Perhaps he needed looking after or maybe Roseann felt happier having another man about the house in case John should take off again. He was not there to see his children grow up but not through desertion.
On 2 March 1892 died as a result of injuries sustained through an accident at work. The incident was reported in the local paper and was one of two fatal accidents at Coltness Ironworks on the same day.
The cause of death was a fracture to the base of the skull. His death was registered by his father, James Brawley.
While this is not the full story it gives us more of an idea of John Brawley and how he lived his life. He can’t have been all bad but sadly, the good side is not recorded.
Family History, Family Tree, Genealogy, Local History
Brawley, Coltness Iron Works, Furnace Row Newmains, Newmains
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2 thoughts on “Finding Out More – John Brawley 1857-1892”
Allan Wright
Shady character right enough. Even with potentially the death penalty for murder using a knife or such it didn’t seem to put him off attacking the woman so could it have been argued as premeditated Paula?
It’s a strange one Allan. Drink must’ve been a factor but a nasty attack on a seemingly innocent victim.
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Finding Out More - John Brawley 1857-1892
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Spyfall is a party game unlike any other, one in which you get to be a spy and try to understand what's going on around you. It's really simple!
Spyfall is played over several rounds, and at the start of each round all players receive cards showing the same location — a casino, a traveling circus, a pirate ship, or even a space station — except that one player receives a card that says "Spy" instead of the location. Players then start asking each other questions — "Why are you dressed so strangely?" or "When was the last time we got a payday?" or anything else you can come up with — trying to guess who among them is the spy. The spy doesn't know where he is, so he has to listen carefully. When it's his time to answer, he'd better create a good story!
At any time during a round, one player may accuse another of being a spy. If all other players agree with the accusation, the round ends and the accused player has to reveal his identity. If the spy is uncovered, all other players score points. However, the spy can himself end a round by announcing that he understands what the secret location is; if his guess is correct, only the spy scores points.
After a few rounds of guessing, suspicion and bluffing, the game ends and whoever has scored the most points is victorious!
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The World of James Bond
The Lives and Times of 007
This book presents an insightful and thoroughly entertaining exploration of the political context of the Bond books and films. Jeremy Black offers a historian’s interpretation from the perspective of the late 2010s, assessing James Bond in terms of the greatly changing world order of the Bond years—a lifetime that stretches from 1953, when the first novel appeared, to the present. Black argues that the Bond novels—the Fleming books as well as the often-neglected novels authored by others after Fleming died in 1964—and films drew on current fears in order to reduce the implausibility of the villains and their villainy.
The novels and films also presented potent images of national character, explored the rapidly changing relationship between a declining Britain and an ascendant United States, charted the course of the Cold War and the subsequent post-1990 world, and offered an evolving but always potent demonology. Bond was, and still is, an important aspect of post–World War II popular culture throughout the Western world. This was particularly so after Hollywood launched the filmic Bond, thus making him not only a character designed for the American film market but also a world product and a figure of globalization. Class, place, gender, violence, sex, race—all are themes that Black scrutinizes through the ongoing shifts in characterization and plot. His well-informed and well-argued analysis provides a fascinating history of the enduring and evolving appeal of James Bond.
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 218 • Trim: 6 x 9
978-1-4422-7611-6 • Hardback • August 2017 • $38.00 • (£29.00)
978-1-4422-7612-3 • eBook • August 2017 • $36.00 • (£28.00)
Subjects: Performing Arts / Film / General, History / Europe / Great Britain / General, History / Europe / Russia & the Former Soviet Union, History / United States / General, History / World, Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural, Performing Arts / Drama, Social Science / Culture
Jeremy Black graduated from Cambridge University with a Starred First and did graduate work at Oxford University before teaching at the University of Durham and then at the University of Exeter, where he is professor emeritus of history. He has held visiting chairs at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Texas Christian University, and Stillman College. He is a 2018 Templeton Fellow of the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Black received the Samuel Eliot Morison Prize from the Society for Military History in 2008. His recent books include Naval Warfare: A Global History since 1860, Insurgency and Counterinsurgency: A Global History, and Air Power: A Global History.
Chapter One: Political Background
Chapter Two: Changing Values
Chapter Three: The Later Novels
Chapter Four: Bond Hits the Screen
Chapter Five: Moore and Americanization
Chapter Six: The Dalton Glasnost Years
Chapter Seven: The Brosnan Era
Chapter Eight: The Age of Craig
Chapter Nine: Towards a Bond World
Black, a British military historian, considers James Bond’s various print and screen incarnations and the villains he has fought over the years from a historical perspective. Introduced to the public in the 1953 novel Casino Royale, Bond was the creation of Ian Fleming, an officer in British naval intelligence during WWII. When the series began, Britain was still an imperial power, Churchill was again prime minister, and the Cold War was underway. Black shows that the ensuing books, and the films that came later, were informed by changing world politics. The villains, whether the Communist Le Chiffre in the novel (but not the screen versions of) Casino Royale, the mafia in Diamonds Are Forever (1971), or the rogue agent of the post–Cold War GoldenEye (1995), reflected contemporary fears. Black places more emphasis on the films than on the novels, aptly comparing the former to a 'very good meal that you already know and love.' Black’s analysis of how a succession of writers and actors have presented Bond over the years goes well beyond being a literary or film retrospective by incorporating sociopolitical grace notes. His survey, which includes a brief piece on how Trump’s America might influence the franchise, serves as a thoughtful and uniquely positioned consideration of shifting cultural currents over the last seven decades.
The world of James Bond, the author tells us, is one of shifting political and moral realities. Bond, a Cold War spy when he first appeared in literary form in the 1950s, has been faced with some major cultural upheavals (particularly in the 1960s); the challenge, for Bond creator Ian Fleming and for the filmmakers and novelists who have continued telling Bond stories after Fleming’s death, was to allow Bond to adapt to changes in his world while remaining essentially the same person. The most notable change in the Bond series, especially in the movies, was the shift from realism to larger-than-life spectacle; the evil and completely fictional SPECTRE, for example, replaced Fleming’s original villainous spy organization, SMERSH, which had been based on a real Russian intelligence group.... [T]his is a worthy addition to the ever-growing literature about the world’s most famous superspy.
The World of James Bond is a very important study of James Bond, one of the most important literary characters invented during the World War II, and some other lesser known spy characters. Understanding the character of British super spy 007 is like understanding the Cold War. With his impeccable academic credentials, Jeremy Black helps us understand the super spy most of us loved for more than half a century. Many of us still love James Bond. Understanding super spy 007 is also important because we may again slip back into another Cold War era.
— The Washington Book Review
Jeremy Black is a scintillating writer who understands our culture brilliantly—his is the definitive take on Britain's Greatest Spy.
— Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP
Black’s comprehensive study is commendable for the ease with which he brings together an accurate historical context for these cultural productions . . . It is not just Black’s encyclopaedic knowledge of politics that is brought to bear on his most recent work on Bond, but his understanding of the important reciprocal influences of other aspects of popular culture – from the Beatles phenomenon to the space age fascination of Star Wars.
— artswithcrafts.com
Fans of James Bond must get hold of this superb book by distinguished historian Jeremy Black. Black explores the enduring global fascination with Ian Fleming’s incredible creation, the legendary superspy 007, who comes to the defense of the Britons in this most recent dangerous dark age. With insight and flair, Black relates the Bond books and movies produced over the past sixty years to today’s kaleidoscopic real-world nightmares of superpower confrontation and international terrorism. In Jeremy Black, Mr. Bond has finally met his match!
— John H. Maurer, U.S. Naval War College
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Brow Beat
The Forgotten Renegade Legacy of Universal Pictures
By Tim Wu
Judd Apatow, Robert De Niro, and moderator Mike Fleming speak during the Tribeca Talks Director’s Series: 100 Years of Universal during the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.
Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
Universal Pictures turns 100 years old this year. And as an event last night at the Tribeca Film Festival made clear, the venerable studio has completely lost sight of what it once was.
In 1912, a rebel filmmaker named Carl Laemmle founded Universal Pictures as part of his campaign against the then-dominant film industry, which Laemmle called the “film octopus.” To make his films, Laemmle was willing to violate the law: He was personally sued 289 times for intellectual property violations. The mainstream film industry held all of the important patents on film equipment and sued anyone who dared make films without their permission. They litigated to try to weaken the threat from filmmakers like Laemmle who were bringing to America radical ideas like the “feature” film (longer than 20 minutes), credits for actors, and other innovations (such as the chase sequence). And so Universal was born as a renegade studio, an outlaw, with radically different ideas of what film could be.
Despite the threats, Universal survived—and prospered. Along with 20th Century Fox and Paramount, Universal was one of the most important “outlaw” film studios in the early history of film, a decisive force in making Hollywood the center of American movies—and in making the United States a center of world cinema.
It is a dignified and important history. But the Tribeca Film Festival, which began this week, decided to honor its anniversary in a rather odd fashion. The festival put Judd Apatow and Robert De Niro in front of an audience with a moderator and had the two men talk about themselves for about an hour. Laemmle was mentioned exactly zero times—and, indeed, Universal itself was mostly forgotten.
A sample: Apatow says to De Niro, “You’re a such a nice, likeable guy. Why do you always play murderers and so on?” Robert De Niro: no answer.
Two celebrities talking about themselves as though guests on a late-night television show. Presumably it is too awkward these days to talk about Universal’s early history, and particularly its belief in the occasional necessity of law-breaking in order to further the goals of art, especially when a new medium arrives. But that just happens to be a crucial part of the legacy of Universal Studios. To celebrate that legacy without discussing Laemmle felt a bit like attending an anniversary of the United States that skipped over the whole George Washington thing.
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ancient links
Photos: The Kabuliwalas of Tagore's story still live in Kolkata
A community of 5,000 Afghans has found a home in the city for over a century.
Mridula Chari
Apr 08, 2015 · 10:30 am
Moska Najib and Nazes Afroz
One of the lasting images of Afghans in India comes from Rabindranath Tagore’s famous bittersweet story of a Kabuliwala, a dried fruit seller from Kabul, who strikes up a touching friendship with a little girl in Calcutta.
But the story of real Kabuliwalas does not begin(or end) with Tagore. Afghans had been coming as salesmen to India for decades before and after the 1892 story. A closely knit community of around 5,000 Afghans lives in Kolkata even today, though they might no longer be vendors of odds and ends.
From Kabul to Kolkata: of Belonging, Memories and Identity, a new exhibition of photographs by journalists Moska Najib and Nazes Afroz attempts to show just that. The exhibition of 50 photographs, inspired by the short story, is a product of their collaboration from 2012.
In a distant land
In 1892, Rabindranath Tagore wrote a short story about a man from a distant land – Afghanistan – living in Kolkata. Over the century, these interpretations helped shape a romantic image of Afghans in more than just Bengal.
Between them, Najib and Afroz have close connections to Afghanistan and Kolkata. Najib, who has lived in India for most of her life, was forced to flee Afghanistan when she was only eight years old. Over the years, she said, Tagore’s story was often a point of reference in conversations about Afghans and the ties between the two countries.
“Being displaced from Afghanistan at the age of eight, I always felt there was an abrupt disconnection with my roots and hence, a lasting sense of loss,” she wrote. “And so throughout my life, I’ve been drawn to themes of identity and belonging.”
When in 2012 she wanted to work on a project around Afghanistan, Kabuliwalas were a natural choice. Thinking she might be too close to the project, she decided to team up with someone who might have a more distant perspective. That person was Afroz, a former colleague of her.
Afroz had lived and worked in Kolkata for 17 years. As a child, he stayed in Park Circus, then an amazingly diverse area that was home to a host of Chinese, Anglo-Indians, Armenians, Baghdadi Jews and Kabuliwalas.
“This diversity of Calcutta definitely contributed to who I am today,” he said. Over the decades, as Calcutta homogenised, these small communities shrunk further.
“It disturbed me that Calcutta was losing its diversity,” he said. “There has not been enough visual work done to capture that, except for Pablo Bartholomew’s work on the Chinese community. I thought this would be my tribute to the city.”
Who are Kabuliwalas?
They are men with distinct features ‒ piercing eyes and rugged face. Dressed in their traditional attire, they have made Kolkata their new home, a city thousands of miles away from their own homeland.
At first, they were not certain they would find Kabuliwalas in Kolkata at all. The city Afroz had grown up in was no longer as welcoming. Yet once they began research towards the end of 2012, they found a vibrant community of 5,000 people, many of whom still lived as Afghans though they had not visited their home in decades or ever.
While the links between modern Afghanistan and India are old and deep, Afghans first came to Calcutta on the heels of the Anglo-Afghan wars that began in 1839. Calcutta, then the capital of the British Raj, was a natural destination. Over the next decades, streams of Afghans travelled back and forth across the southern land route from Kandahar to Quetta and finally to Calcutta, usually as the salesmen familiar in the Tagore story.
Then came 1947. Without valid travel documents, Afghan traders found themselves unable to return home. Many remained in Calcutta instead, the city that had already been so welcoming to them.
“When you talk about the Afghan diaspora today, you think about people who have been displaced by wars,” Afroz said. “This community has no association with war at all. They have been coming to Calcutta for so long because they found the city hospitable towards them.”
Kabuliwalas in Kolkata are not from Kabul, they found. They are from Paktia and Paktika in south Afghanistan. Since they travelled without women, many ended up marrying Indians, but remained entrenched in the culture of their homeland. Many of the younger ones have never set foot in Afghanistan, but still speak Pashto and identify deeply with their home country. Even today, they celebrate both Eids in Afghan fashion in the maidans of Kolkata.
Lingering connections
The big Khan
Amir Khan, the leader of the clan, was born in India. Although a third-generation Kabuliwala, he is deeply tied to his heritage.
The project was not entirely easy for the two, particularly when it came to contacting the women of the community. They remained indoors for the most part and they were finally able to photograph only two women, both outside their homes.
“Documenting the lives of women and their children proved to be our main challenge,” Najib wrote. “As a woman, I wanted to peek in and photograph the minutiae of their everyday life. […] Their absence accentuates our photographic challenges and the submission to cultural restrictions and sensitivities.”
At the exhibition in Kabul, Afroz met a man from the same province as Kolkata’s Kabuliwalas. The man had lived in Kolkata during the early years of the Taliban war, as had his father and grandfather. His father died and was buried there. Two years ago, the man went back to India to search for his father’s grave. The main photo of exhibition is of a man combing his beard against the blue background. That person had helped him find his father’s grave.
“This is not a community stuck in a silo,” Afroz said. “There continues to be a continuum, a connection with their country.”
Here are some photographs from the exhibition:
A license to live
Armed with spices, dry fruits and attar from their country, the first Kabuliwalas went from door to door to sell their items. Over decades, they’ve resorted to more lucrative trades like money-lending.
The dastarkwhan
Their trade may have changed, but their traditions remain the same. Through communal prayers and dining on the dastarkwhan, they’ve managed to preserve their culture.
The Maidan
In Kolkata, the Maidan remains their chosen ground. Dressed in their traditional attire ‒ the flowing over-sized salwar kameez ‒ many gather at the iconic Victoria Memorial to live out a little bit of their traditional passions: flying a kite, anda kushti (hard-boiled egg fights) and performing the Pashtun Attan dance. It’s a custom that’s been followed for close to a century, from the time the first Afghans settled in Kolkata.
Though immersed in their traditions, it’s their identity that is in limbo. Stuck in a vacuum of space between two different worlds, they are as Pashtun as Indian. With only a few members of the community possessing identity cards, the idea of belonging is filled with tensions between dreams and realities – of merging, exclusion and exile.
Longing and belonging
From the corners of his home in the far away land, the Kabuliwala dreams of his motherland by clinging onto little mementos that had been passed on by earlier generations.
Mini’s Kabuliwala
In the midst of longing and belonging, the Kabuliwala carries on with his life, until he is finally is laid to rest in the far away land. For the Bengalis, he’ll remain Mini’s Kabuliwala.
The first instalment of the exhibition opened in Kabul on March 18. The Delhi edition will run from April 10 to 23. The show will then travel to Dhaka on April 27 and land in Kolkata from May 16 to 29. More details are available on Facebook and Twitter with #KBL2KOL.
Old isn’t always gold: What the fine imposed on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop says about ancient wisdom
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Online Pre School Fee Payment
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Somerville in News
Esther Mani
I welcome you to Somerville School, Vasundhara Enclave, a Christian unaided Senior Secondary school in Delhi, recognized by the Department of Education, Government of the NCT of Delhi, and affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi.
Over four and a half decades of its existence since 1974, Somerville School, Delhi, has carved an indelible space for itself as an educational institution of excellence. The school has been carefully nurtured through a sound balance of quality educational programmes, state-of-art facilities, superior services and a focus on the child as the reason for our existence.
The students of Somerville learn a variety of things at school, particularly what they would like to “do” when they grow up; we also try to make them think about what they would like to “be” – in terms of character and values that would last, as they try to make their place in the world.
Our teachers are carefully selected and undergo constant training to upgrade their knowledge of the subjects they teach, as well as to improve their skills to meet the demands of the relentlessly changing world around them. Four of them have been conferred the State Teacher’s Award by the Government of Delhi for their exceptional contributions in the field of education of school students.
Our history of accomplishments in academics, sports, dance, music, public service, speak for the quality of students the school has produced; global citizens yet steadfast in their loyalty to the nation; strong moral and ethical values; advocates of worthy causes and concerned about the family and community.
The school has sent out alumni that have helped build the country, from bureaucrats to technocrats, officers of the armed forces, scientists, economists, social workers, doctors, teachers, architects, shaping every aspect of human society.
“Give us wisdom to always do
What is just, what is right, what is fair
And we’ll strive to spread Your word everywhere
With Your love, guidance and care”
These words from the Somerville School song encapsulate our vision of education.
In a world groping for meaning and purpose, we learn to seek God’s wisdom to be torchbearers of the truth and to equip young lives to make worthy and positive choices each day.
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (The Holy Bible)
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NOAH VITMAN to PHILLIP BARLING Providing for free what some websites charge money for. Home page ... ... 11 March 1891 page
NOAH VITMAN was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 230-10-7397 (indicating Virginia) and, Death Master File says, died December 1967. Research in ZIP Code 24171. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
NOAH WHETSEL was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 523-07-2175 (indicating Colorado) and, Death Master File says, died February 1967. Research in ZIP Code 80209. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
NOMIE P HOWARD was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 266-80-4845 (indicating Florida) and, Death Master File says, died 02 August 1989. Research in ZIP Code 32347. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
NORA NICKS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 537-24-3559 (indicating Washington) and, Death Master File says, died August 1982. Research in ZIP Code 98201. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
NORA TESTER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 502-22-8054 (indicating North Dakota) and, Death Master File says, died January 1976. Research in ZIP Code 58301. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
NORBERT THOMAS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 390-03-5801 (indicating Wisconsin) and, Death Master File says, died May 1965. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
NORRIS HIGHTOWER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 457-07-5324 (indicating Texas) and, Death Master File says, died March 1972. Research in ZIP Code 76230. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
NORWOOD TROTTER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 365-14-4372 (indicating Michigan) and, Death Master File says, died July 1964. Research in ZIP Code XX953. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OAKLEY COTTERMAN was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 177-07-0297 (indicating Pennsylvania) and, Death Master File says, died June 1972. Research in ZIP Code 16314. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OCK DONG was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 087-32-7844 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died December 1971. Research in ZIP Code 10013. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
Odelia E. Graves, wife of John Wesley Graves, was born 11 March 1891, died 17 November 1957, and was buried in Section N, Site 806 in Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California, United States of America.
ODES PARSONS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 442-07-2573 (indicating Oklahoma) and, Death Master File says, died September 1965. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
ODESSA MANSFIELD was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 526-31-8039 (indicating Arizona) and, Death Master File says, died March 1984. Research in ZIP Code 85009. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLA BRANSTITER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 505-44-8276 (indicating Nebraska) and, Death Master File says, died September 1985. Research in ZIP Code 68320. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLE TELLEFSON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 518-03-3309 (indicating Idaho) and, Death Master File says, died January 1967. Research in ZIP Code 99202. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLGA FALK was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 391-01-5136 (indicating Wisconsin) and, Death Master File says, died August 1963. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLGA GUDELSKY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 367-68-4040 (indicating Michigan) and, Death Master File says, died May 1983. Research in ZIP Code 49441. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLGA MALOTTKE was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 011-07-1944 (indicating Massachusetts) and, Death Master File says, died September 1965. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLIVE BALDING was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 524-64-0366 (indicating Colorado) and, Death Master File says, died January 1987. Research in ZIP Code 80223. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLIVE GILBERT was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 569-26-9052 (indicating California) and, Death Master File says, died May 1981. Research in ZIP Code 83814. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLIVE PINA was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 547-30-7874 (indicating California) and, Death Master File says, died August 1976. Research in ZIP Code 90042. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
Olive B. Crissinger, wife of Bruce R. Crissinger, was born 11 March 1891, died 3 February 1979, and was buried in Section L, Site 937 in Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois, United States of America.
OLIVER ODEGARD was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 474-40-0156 (indicating Minnesota) and, Death Master File says, died March 1963. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLIVER R KREUTZ was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 110-09-9833 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died 06 November 1988. Research in ZIP Code 18976. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLLIE BAILEY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 452-18-6905 (indicating Texas) and, Death Master File says, died February 1983. Research in ZIP Code 79241. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLLIE DAVIDSON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 453-70-3153 (indicating Texas) and, Death Master File says, died April 1972. Research in ZIP Code 79567. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OLLIE HATLEY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 449-56-8890 (indicating Texas) and, Death Master File says, died October 1972. Research in ZIP Code 75211. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OMA WILLIAMS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 241-60-6643 (indicating North Carolina) and, Death Master File says, died January 1970. Research in ZIP Code 28318. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OPHELIA CARTER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 427-80-2075 (indicating Mississippi) and, Death Master File says, died August 1985. Research in ZIP Code 39095. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
ORIN COLEMAN was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 128-10-4702 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died August 1962. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
ORNA HICKMAN was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 411-32-0675 (indicating Tennessee) and, Death Master File says, died May 1974. Research in ZIP Code 46219. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
ORVILLE ANDERSON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 287-20-6207 (indicating Ohio) and, Death Master File says, died February 1966. Research in ZIP Code 45652. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
ORVIN HINKLE was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 277-01-8913 (indicating Ohio) and, Death Master File says, died January 1977. Research in ZIP Codes 33150 and 33168. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OSCAR ECKHARDT was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 313-03-3592 (indicating Indiana) and, Death Master File says, died March 1975. Research in ZIP Code 46996. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OSCAR GUY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 437-30-2623 (indicating Louisiana) and, Death Master File says, died September 1948. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OSCAR MORK was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 388-18-3391 (indicating Wisconsin) and, Death Master File says, died December 1974. Research in ZIP Code 54409. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OSCAR OLSON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 379-01-3136 (indicating Michigan) and, Death Master File says, died June 1967. Research in ZIP Code 49444. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OSCAR SORVAL was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 079-03-9785 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died July 1963. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OSCAR WANGSTROM was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 506-44-6905 (indicating Nebraska) and, Death Master File says, died August 1979. Research in ZIP Code 68786. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
Oscar L. Gruhn (spouse of Eva R.) was born 11 March 1891, died 17 February 1931, and was buried in Hillside Cemetery-Columbus.
OTA MARKLEY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 521-24-9795 (indicating Colorado) and, Death Master File says, died December 1983. Research in ZIP Code 98103. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OTTILIA CERVENKA was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 067-52-9307 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died September 1977. Research in ZIP Code 10021. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OTTO REITLINGER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 132-16-9026 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died January 1971. Research in ZIP Code 22209. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OTTO ZINKGRAF was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 393-07-3941 (indicating Wisconsin) and, Death Master File says, died July 1963. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
OWEN KELLY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 080-05-0152 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died February 1963. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAGE WADLAR was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 230-01-3265 (indicating Virginia) and, Death Master File says, died August 1972. Research in ZIP Code 23847. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PANSY BASHAM was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 493-30-0396 (indicating Missouri) and, Death Master File says, died December 1972. Research in ZIP Code 64093. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PATRICK DEMPSEY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 063-09-7150 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died January 1963. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL BUFFALO was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 429-58-4155 (indicating Arkansas) and, Death Master File says, died July 1964. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL CAHILL was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 271-03-7707 (indicating Ohio) and, Death Master File says, died February 1979. Research in ZIP Code 44301. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL GEMINIANI was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 172-09-0155 (indicating Pennsylvania) and, Death Master File says, died June 1965. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL HENDRICKSON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 161-01-6001 (indicating Pennsylvania) and, Death Master File says, died July 1984. Research in ZIP Code 10924. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL HEYSER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 401-01-1615 and, Death Master File says, died November 1975. Research in ZIP Code 40215. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL JULLIEN was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 005-10-2545 (indicating Maine) and, Death Master File says, died July 1964. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL KIELKOWICZ was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 285-09-1587 (indicating Ohio) and, Death Master File says, died January 1975. Research in ZIP Code 44127. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL KUTER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 200-30-4353 (indicating Pennsylvania) and, Death Master File says, died November 1964. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL MATTHEWS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 305-03-7572 (indicating Indiana) and, Death Master File says, died August 1981. Research in ZIP Code 95030. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL SCHULTZ was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 188-12-1923 (indicating Pennsylvania) and, Death Master File says, died April 1972. Research in ZIP Code 17980. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL THATE was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 086-03-2430 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died October 1969. Research in ZIP Code 10010. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL WAGGONER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 265-28-2097 (indicating Florida) and, Death Master File says, died October 1972. Research in ZIP Code 49633. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAUL YAWORSKY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 150-05-5859 (indicating New Jersey) and, Death Master File says, died March 1969. Research in ZIP Code 33129. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAULA SCHMID was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 137-26-5525 (indicating New Jersey) and, Death Master File says, died 11 July 1989. Research in ZIP Code XX762. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
Paul H. Gerfen, Rank: SGT, Branch: US ARMY, War: WORLD WAR I, was born 11 March 1891, died 11 January 1956, and was buried in Section 282, Row B, Site 13 in Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
PAULINE CIESLUKOWSKI was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 273-16-7184 (indicating Ohio) and, Death Master File says, died December 1978. Research in ZIP Codes 43613 and 43608. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAULINE COOKSEY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 403-34-0106 and, Death Master File says, died May 1985. Research in ZIP Code 45407. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAULINE LAVIN was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 167-50-9807 (indicating Pennsylvania) and, Death Master File says, died May 1974. Research in ZIP Code 18974. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAULINE OZIMEK was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 014-50-3974 (indicating Massachusetts) and, Death Master File says, died August 1974. Research in ZIP Code 01501. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PAULINE SAVARD was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 040-22-8014 (indicating Connecticut) and, Death Master File says, died June 1982. Research in ZIP Code 06320. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
Paul Means Caldwell, Rank: CPL, Branch: INFANTRY, War: WORLD WAR I, was born 11 March 1891, died 13 July 1951, and was buried in Section 110, Row A, Site 8 in Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
PEARL ANDERSON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 282-14-3102 (indicating Ohio) and, Death Master File says, died February 1982. Research in ZIP Code 44108. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PEARL BILLINGTON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 552-14-2453 (indicating California) and, Death Master File says, died August 1964. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PEARL COFFMAN was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 261-50-4538 (indicating Florida) and, Death Master File says, died March 1984. Research in ZIP Code 32328. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PEARL CURTESS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 509-68-5614 (indicating Kansas) and, Death Master File says, died January 1976. Research in ZIP Code 66061. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PEARL GREY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 051-52-7886 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died December 1972. Research in ZIP Code 12580. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PEARL LOVEJOY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 400-01-2009 (indicating Kentucky) and, Death Master File says, died September 1984. Research in ZIP Code 40205. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PEARL RAIGNER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 232-46-3680 (indicating West Virginia or North Carolina) and, Death Master File says, died November 1965. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PEARL ROBIN was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 263-32-2803 (indicating Florida) and, Death Master File says, died September 1978. Research in ZIP Code 33606. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PEARLE EBERLY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 332-09-3422 (indicating Illinois) and, Death Master File says, died March 1976. Research in ZIP Code 61021. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PEARL H JEDNEY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 396-26-5011 (indicating Wisconsin) and, Death Master File says, died January 1991. Research in ZIP Code 53186. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
Percell Ford, Rank: PVT, Branch: US ARMY, War: WORLD WAR I, was born 11 March 1891, died 24 August 1984, and was buried in Section A-12, Row 2, Site 7 in Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, Maryland, United States of America.
PERCIVAL SANDS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 068-01-1802 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died September 1968. Research in ZIP Code 10606. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PERCY RICE was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 051-12-2830 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died November 1972. Research in ZIP Code 10454. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PERCY TATE was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 227-32-6786 (indicating Virginia) and, Death Master File says, died April 1973. Research in ZIP Code 24594. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PERRY JOHNSTON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 493-28-5394 (indicating Missouri) and, Death Master File says, died April 1969. Research in ZIP Code 63401. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PETER AGNELLO was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 137-10-8485 (indicating New Jersey) and, Death Master File says, died January 1977. Research in ZIP Code 07407. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PETER BILLICH was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 276-09-8169 (indicating Ohio) and, Death Master File says, died August 1970. Research in ZIP Code 15212. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PETER CERVONA was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 142-09-1667 (indicating New Jersey) and, Death Master File says, died October 1965. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PETER DAUSEY was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 362-14-3622 (indicating Michigan) and, Death Master File says, died April 1970. Research in ZIP Code 49854. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PETER LAWLESS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 136-18-2802 (indicating New Jersey) and, Death Master File says, died January 1963. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PETER NAAR was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 418-05-0099 (indicating Alabama) and, Death Master File says, died April 1966. Research in ZIP Code 37404. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PETER WARCHOL was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 075-03-9307 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died September 1974. Research in ZIP Code 13501. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
Peter S. Naar, Rank: BMXR1, Branch: US NAVY, War: WORLD WAR I, was born 11 March 1891, died 6 April 1966, and was buried in Section PP, Site 302 in Chattanooga National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States of America.
PHAIRY ALEXANDER was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 239-06-2624 (indicating North Carolina) and, Death Master File says, died November 1978. Research in ZIP Code 27105. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PHERIBA LUTON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 238-84-5028 (indicating North Carolina) and, Death Master File says, died March 1977. Research in ZIP Code 27909. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PHIL MCPHERSON was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 382-10-6175 (indicating Michigan) and, Death Master File says, died November 1973. Research in ZIP Code 48746. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PHILIP CIULLA was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 031-09-4161 (indicating Massachusetts) and, Death Master File says, died July 1978. Research in ZIP Codes 32230 and 32210. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PHILIP DENT was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 495-36-2688 (indicating Missouri) and, Death Master File says, died August 1975. Research in ZIP Code 65265. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PHILIP NICHOLS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 233-20-3496 (indicating West Virginia) and, Death Master File says, died November 1977. Research in ZIP Codes 25064 and 48035. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PHILL MCWILLIAMS was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 417-26-9121 (indicating Alabama) and, Death Master File says, died March 1969. Research in ZIP Code 36753. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
PHILLIP BARLING was born 11 March 1891, received Social Security number 328-09-6341 (indicating Illinois) and, Death Master File says, died September 1976. Research in ZIP Code 61701. Source: Social Security Death Master File (public domain).
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JBL Link 300 Voice-Activated Wi-Fi Speaker
With the increasing popularity of voice-activated speakers, JBL offers its Link series, now five models strong. The two smaller models, the Link 10 ($149.95, all prices USD) and Link 20 ($199.95), use rechargeable batteries, whereas the Link 300 ($249.95) and its bigger brother, the Link 500 ($399.95), must be plugged into the wall. There is also the Link View ($249.95), which includes an 8" high-definition screen. All include Google Assistant -- the speaker stays put, and you become the portable part of the system.
Although the Link 300 has a few flaws, it’s a nifty little speaker whose appeal is muted only by a high list price that puts it out of the ballpark for many buyers. But good news: You can find it and most of these models online for much less -- even on JBL’s own website, where the Link 300 is currently sold for $124.95: half its list price.
The Link 300 comes nestled in a plastic form in JBL’s usual mostly orange box with carrying handle. A little box of black cardboard holds the accessories: a power umbilical (a 19V adapter and cord), and one of the skinniest quick-start manuals I’ve ever seen (and hope never to see again). That’s it. There are no audio or USB charging cords -- except for the power cord, the Link 300 is meant to be used solely for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transmission. Nor is there the usual 3.5mm jack for connecting devices that lack Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
The Link 300, available in black or white, has an oval cross section; from the front, its profile is that of a rounded-off rectangle. Though I didn’t find its looks all that attractive, it did blend in just about everywhere -- which perhaps is the intention of its nondescript appearance. It measures 9.3”W x 5.3”H x 6.1”H and weighs 3.75 pounds. Its top and bottom are made of the usual hard, rubberized plastic -- it won’t bounce around while playing -- as is the wraparound, fine-meshed grille. The controls, all on the top panel, include buttons for Volume up/down, Play/Pause, Bluetooth, Microphone Mute, and Google Assistant -- press the last when you tire of saying “Hey Google.” Also on the top are two farfield microphones. On the bottom panel is a jack for the power adapter, a Micro-USB port (for servicing only), and a reset button.
In a little row centered on the top front edge of the Link 300 are four LEDs. These indicate that Google has received your message and is working on it, as well as the relative volume level. Just below the JBL logo at the bottom front center is an LED that indicates the strength of the Wi-Fi signal. The top lights go dark after you set up your activity, but the Wi-Fi light irritatingly stays on, and in the Google app I found no way to defeat it. I covered it with a piece of black electrical tape.
Behind the front grille are the two drivers: a 0.8” tweeter and a 3.5” woofer; in back, behind another JBL logo, is a mighty 3.2” version of JBL’s familiar passive radiator.
The Link 300 uses Bluetooth v.4.2, and can operate on 2.4 and 5.0GHz networks. Its specified frequency response is 55Hz-22kHz (-6dB), its signal/noise ratio is 80dB, its power output 2 x 25W.
Setting up the Link 300 was relatively simple: Using the supplied cords, plug the power adapter into an AC power outlet. Download the Google Home app to your smartphone, and follow the instructions to add a device. A caveat: Though app and speaker will work together for basic functions on older operating systems, you must have a more recent model of phone to access all of its features, such as Home Control and linking to other devices on your Wi-Fi network.
The farfield mikes worked very well. When there was little background noise, I didn’t have to shout at the Link 300 to get Google Assistant to function -- but if the volume on the TV or stereo was too loud, I did. It’s nice that Google Assistant offers choices of voice response: different accents of male and female voices.
It was fun to ask the Link 300 about state capitals, the weather, news, and recipes. If you think voice-activated A/V is a kick only for those with a lot of time on their hands, you might be pleasantly surprised to discover how often you end up using it. As time went on, I found it quite useful. Using voice commands, for example, I could pause play and call up a specific music title or genre. Onboard music services included Google Play Music, Pandora, Spotify, and YouTube Music. Amazon Prime Music is absent, but can be hooked up via Bluetooth.
You’re supposed to be able to connect other devices to the same Wi-Fi network as the Link 300 and control them with voice commands through the Link 300. The list of supposedly compatible devices is very long, but the only one I had on hand was a Logitech Harmony Remote Hub, and it was something of a nightmare to get going. I finally did, mostly with the help of the Logitech support crew. I could say, “Hey Google, play Blu-ray 1,” and it would correctly go through all the steps to do that. But then the Link 300 would intrusively announce that there’d been a glitch -- even when there hadn’t been. I spent hours trying to solve this problem, but still hadn’t by press time.
The Link 300’s warm, detailed sound was very much in line with JBL’s signature sound. The bass was boosted, but still emerged with some focus. The highs, too, were emphasized, but not to the point of sounding wholly unnatural. The midrange had good presence and definition. The Link 300 played very loud with no noticeable distortion -- it should be able to fill a medium-size room with sound.
The Link 300 includes Chromecast Built-in -- depending on your device and your music service, it can play files of resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz. This will give you much better sound than in Bluetooth mode, though even that is better than usual.
Surprisingly, the Link 300 was quite good with classical music. Stored on my little Benjie player in CD quality are J.S. Bach’s complete works for organ, performed by Peter Hurford (16-bit/44.1kHz ALAC, Argo). The rich sounds of the various organs used in the series were remarkably good: crisp and clean for the upper pipes, solid and sure for the lower. The Link 300 is monaural; nonetheless, I was impressed with its transparency in reproducing these recordings.
Antonio Vivaldi wrote dozens of violin concertos, most of them as parts of larger collections, and one of the most famous of these groupings is L’Estro Armonico. In the recording with Sir Neville Marriner conducting the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields (16/44.1 ALAC, Argo), the first concerto has the usual sprightly violin lines, but also contains some cello filigree that’s almost rambunctious. The latter is often buried through portable speakers, but with the Link 300 it came across with clarity and force. The contrabass line, too, was prominent and solid as a rock.
With the Link 300’s considerable bass output, it made a strong impression when reproducing rock and jazz. Just about any album by any artist you could name -- Queen, the Beatles, Duran Duran, Duke Ellington, and on and on -- sounded really solid in the bass, and got that rear passive radiator thrusting in and out dramatically. You’ll be tempted to put your fingertip on the grille just to feel the bass.
Though I found it difficult to, er, link the Link 300 with other devices on a Wi-Fi network, once it was properly set up it was quite effective. It took voice commands without my having to shout, and has Chromecast Built-in as well as Bluetooth. It produced better sound than the smaller voice-actuated speakers I’ve heard and generated enough volume to fill my room. I couldn’t unqualifiedly recommend it at its list price of $249.95 -- but for the $124.95 you can now buy it for, it’s worth a look and a listen, especially for bass lovers.
Portable music players -- Benjie Rocker, Apple iPod Touch (sixth generation)
Other devices -- Logitech Harmony Remote Hub
Price: $249.95 USD.
Website: www.jbl.com
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L5 News: Press Misinterprets NRC Report on SPS
by Philip K. Chapman
From L5 News, December 1981
In 1977, the Department of Energy initiated a three-year program (the Concept Development and Evaluation Program, or CDEP) which was to evaluate the potential of Solar Power Satellites (SPS) and to provide recommendations about whether they should be taken seriously as a future energy option. The total funding for this effort was set at $15.5 million, and on-going work by NASA on the SPS was integrated with it. At the time, many space advocates believed the CDEP was an attempt to delay if not kill the SPS, and there is no doubt that DOE management was and is hostile to the concept. In practice, however, the DOE and NASA staff undertook a serious and honest study of the system and its ramifications. They deserve to be commended: the CDEP could serve as a model for careful technology assessment.
The first step in the study was to specify a “strawman” design called the Baseline Reference System (BRS), which assumed solar power conversion by single-crystal silicon photovoltaic cells (with gallium-arsenide cells as an alternate) and a microwave beam to transmit power to Earth. The design chosen was deliberately very conservative, and therefore heavier and more expensive than an actual SPS would be. The explicit purpose of the BRS was not to suggest an optimal approach, hut merely to provide a common starting point for investigations of the societal, environmental and other implications of the SPS.
The CDEP findings were presented at a meeting of the participants in Lincoln, Nebraska, in April 1980. The overwhelming consensus was that there were no technical impediments to building the SPS, but that much more work was needed to determine whether the system could be economically competitive, to establish optimal designs, and to ensure minimal environmental impact. Despite the strongly positive tone of this meeting, DOE requested no funds for further work, and the final report carefully omitted any recommendations about the system.
When it became clear in 1979 that the CDEP was producing results favorable to the SPS, the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences was asked to set up a Committee on Satellite Power Systems to provide a critique of the study. In early July of this year, the Executive Summary of the NRC report was released to the press (other interested parties were told that no copies were available). The result was a flurry of negative headlines. For example, on July 4 there was a story in the Washington Post headed “$3 Trillion Space Power Plant Opposed,” and on July 17 one in Science headed “Solar Power Satellite Research Called Premature.”
The L-5 News has now obtained a complete copy of the NRC report (Electric Power from Orbit: A Critique of a Satellite Power System, National Academy Press, Washington, DC), as well as some of the supporting documents. In subtle but crucial ways, the report misrepresents the findings of the Committee, and the summary given to the press further misrepresents what the report says. If these distortions were corrected, there would be very little in the report with which any proponent of the SPS could disagree. As a matter of fact, the detailed findings are quite similar to those reported at the CDEP meeting in Lincoln.
One major distortion is that conclusions based on the BRS (which nobody regards as a practical design) are used to denigrate the overall concept. For example, the summary says that “based on an examination of cost estimates for the reference SPS…an SPS will not become a cost-competitive source of electrical energy in the next 20 years” (emphasis added). It is these estimates which lead to the $3 trillion cost for an installed SPS capacity of 300 GW (i.e., $10,000/kW). If this is what an operational SPS system would actually cost, it would never be built. However, there do exist other conceptual designs which may offer costs below $1500/kW, which would make the SPS the cheapest available source of power. It is obviously important to continue research until these estimates can be confirmed or denied.
The Committee agreed that it would be premature to make a commitment now to development and deployment of the SPS, a conclusion with which I entirely concur. This does not constitute a recommendation that SPS studies be terminated. For example, the report of the Working Group on Space Systems (Appendix C) states: “While we believe that the reference system should now be abandoned, we recommend that NASA continue conceptual studies on promising new SPS concepts” (emphasis added). The summary, however, says “…a specific program of research justified in terms of the SPS would not now be warranted.” To quote one of the Committee members, “somehow the recommendation that no development be undertaken on SPS has now been distorted…into a recommendation or assumption that there shall be no research program.”
As originally written, the report of the Working Group on Space Systems (chaired by Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, President, Northrup Corporation) contains many quotes from eminent authorities which illustrate the folly of denying technical possibilities. An example is Lord Rutherford in 1933: “Anyone who expects a source of power from the transformation of atoms is talking moonshine.” These quotes were all deleted from the NRC report, changing the emphasis significantly.
One of the valuable aspects of the report is that it points out that much of the technology needed for SPS is also needed for other space programs. These basic elements include: economical transportation to low Earth orbit (LEO); deployment of a LEO operations center, with automated facilities for construction of large structures; economical transportation between LEO and geosynchronous orbit (GEO); improved solar cells; and an eventual staffed base in GEO. A vigorous space program aimed at achieving these objectives could have a highly desirable synergistic effect, enhancing capabilities in many areas other than the SPS: monitoring and management of terrestrial resources, development of space industrialization, the space sciences (including planetary exploration), exploitation of extraterrestrial resources, human habitats off Earth, and space technology for national security. It is to be hoped that the various diverse interests in the pro-space movement will follow the lead provided by the NRC Committee on Satellite Power Systems and join together in support of such a program.
If the United States undertook this core space program, major advances in particular areas could be achieved with quite modest additional funding. For the SPS, the needed supplemental program would have three components: (i) study of SPS system concepts to determine optimal designs and provide realistic preliminary cost estimates; (ii) research in long-lead areas such as the possible effects on biota of exposure to low-level microwave radiation; and (iii) coordination with other research programs to ensure that SPS needs are taken into account (for example, development of photovoltaic cells should consider their mass as well as their cost and efficiency). An SPS research project organized in this fashion, as an adjunct to a primary space program, would allow orderly investigation of the promise of power from space, without developing vested interests which might impede termination of the effort if the SPS proved infeasible.
A careful reading of the NRC Report suggests that most members of the Committee on Satellite Power Systems would approve this approach. It is quite unfortunate that this fundamentally constructive study has been damaged by biased editing and misleading publicity. If the misrepresentations remain uncorrected, the report will have little credibility or utility, and the work of the Committee will be largely wasted.
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Space Settlement Library of over 30,000 pages
Space Settlement Nexus Sitemap
NSS continuation of the NASA Ames Space Settlement site
See why the richest human on the planet, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, puts a billion dollars a year into his re-usable rocket company Blue Origin, and what he has to say about space settlement, in this 10 minute video clip:
Space Settlements: A Design Study
Read the complete online copy
Watch a 5-minute NASA video
Buy the book from Amazon
“The people of Earth have both the knowledge and resources to colonize space.”
That was the stated conclusion of this NASA-sponsored study — in 1975!
There are two things you need to know about space settlement:
We can do it, starting now.
A future with space settlements is vastly better than one without them.
When the first person landed on the Moon in 1969 after only eight short years of intense effort, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proved that we could do nearly anything we put our minds and resources to that is consistent with understood principles of engineering and science.
A few years later, Princeton physicist Gerard O’Neill and others showed that large orbital space settlements would fall within understood principles of engineering and science [Refs. 1-5]. Dr. O’Neill’s analysis strongly suggested that asteroids and lunar mines could supply the materials, the Sun could provide the energy, and that our technology had nearly reached the point where we could build space settlements. These communities could be placed almost anywhere in the solar system.
In 1990, Robert Zubrin and David Baker described a program called Mars Direct, an innovative approach to beginning the settlement of Mars. Zubrin’s 1996 book The Case for Mars [Ref. 6] went on to outline a long term program to bring Mars to life with a vibrant human civilization. While certainly difficult, every step in this program is also achievable within understood principles of engineering and science.
Many plans for space settlement have been proposed — in orbit, on the Moon, on Mars, the asteroids, or elsewhere. All are extremely difficult and expensive, but not much more difficult and expensive than things we have already done. After all, construction of today’s civilization was a mighty task indeed. However, if we are going to spend an enormous amount of time, effort, and money on something, we’d better know why.
There are many reasons to move into space: growth, wealth, energy, survival, spiritual development, knowledge, diversity, to solve serious Earthly problems, to fulfill a sense of destiny and responsibility, and even to have fun. All of these boil down to a simple fact: A future with space settlement is vastly better than one without it.
This flows from another simple fact: There are far, far more resources in space than on Earth. For example:
The largest asteroid, Ceres, has enough material to build orbital space settlements with a total living area well over a hundred times the land area of the Earth.
One smallish asteroid, 3554 Amun, has about $20 trillion worth of metals [Ref. 7, page 112]. There are tens of thousands of asteroids.
The energy available for space settlements exceeds 2 billion times the total energy currently used by humanity.
There are potentially profit-making industries: space tourism, space solar power, space materials, and others that can pave the path to the first self-sustaining space settlements.
Furthermore, we more-or-less know how to exploit these resources without hurting anyone, oppressing anyone, or harming any living organism for the simple reason that there aren’t any living things there — it’s just rock and radiation, both of which are usable (and valuable) resources. We can bring life into space at great advantage to those who dare try, as well as to humanity as a whole.
“Clarke’s Law”
Arthur C. Clarke, inventor of the concept of using geosynchronous orbit for communication satellites, once wrote that new ideas like this pass through three stages:
Stage 1: “It can’t be done.”
Stage 2: “It probably can be done, but it’s not worth doing.”
Stage 3: “I knew it was a good idea all along!”
When Clarke first published his idea of utilizing geosynchronous orbit in 1945, that idea was in Stage 1 because it was technically impossible to do so at the time. Today, of course, that idea is in Stage 3, and our television programming and phone calls routinely go through geosynchronous satellites.
The idea of building space settlements moved past Stage 1 in the 1970s, as this website will amply demonstrate. For the past couple of decades we have been stuck in Stage 2. Stage 3 is reachable within the lifetimes of those now living. Read on!
References and Recommended Reading
1. O’Neill, G. K. (1974). The Colonization of Space. Physics Today 27(9):32-40, September, 1974. [Complete online copy]
2. Johnson, R. D. and Holbrow, C. editors (1977). Space Settlements: A Design Study. NASA SP-413. [Complete online copy] [Buy from Amazon ]
3. Heppenheimer, T. A. (1977). Colonies in Space. Stackpole Books. [Review] [Complete online copy] [Buy from Amazon ]
4. O’Neill, G. K. (1977). The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space. William Morrow and Company. [Review] [Buy from Amazon ]
5. O’Neill, G. K. (1979). Space Resources and Space Settlements. NASA SP-428. [Complete online copy] [Buy from Amazon ]
6. Zubrin, R. and Wagner, R. (1996). The Case for Mars: the Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must. The Free Press. [Review] [Buy from Amazon ]
7. Lewis, John S. (1996). Mining the Sky: Untold Riches from the Asteroids, Comets, and Planets. Helix Books, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc. [Review] [Buy from Amazon ]
8. Marotta, Tom, and Al Globus (2018). The High Frontier: An Easier Way. CreateSpace [Review] [Buy from Amazon]
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Sputnik 40, 41, 99 (RS 17, 18, 19)
Sputnik 41 (RS 18)
These nano-satellites are one-third scale replicas of the Sputnik 1 satellite built jointly by Aéro-Club de France, AMSAT and Rosaviakosmos.
They were hand deployed from the Mir space station during spacewalks.
Sputnik 40 (RS 17a) was launched, along with a backup spacecraft (Sputnik 40-2) aboard Progress-M 36 on 5 October 1997. On 3 November 1997 during an extra-vehicular activity, Sputnik 40 was deployed by cosmonauts Anatoly Solovyev and Pavel Vinogradov. It ceased operations on 29 December 1997 when its batteries expired, and subsequently decayed from orbit on 21 May 1998.
Sputnik 40-2 (RS 17b) was launched, along with Sputnik 40 aboard Progress-M 36 on 5 October 1997. never deployed from Mir and decayed with the space station.
Sputnik 41 (RS 18) was launched aboard Progress-M 40 on 25 October 1998. On 10 November 1998 during an extra-vehicular activity, Sputnik 41 was deployed by cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Avdeyev. Having ceased operations on 11 December 1998 after its batteries expired, Sputnik 41 decayed from orbit on 11 January 1999.
Sputnik 99 was launched aboard Progress-M 41 on 2 April 1999. It was switched off due to a licence issue, when it was deployed, owing to an arrangement with Swatch, a commercial company, for messages to be broadcast from the satellite including a trademarked advertising slogan, a flagrant misuse of the amateur radio band. After numerous protests, it was decided before launch to launch the satellite without its batteries, turning it into a passive piece of junk.
Russia, France
Amateur radio communication
Aéro-Club de France, AMSAT, Rosaviakosmos
23 cm sphere
376 km × 382 km, 51.6° (#40); 339 km × 352 km, 51.6° (#41)
Sputnik 40 (RS 17a) 1997-058C 05.10.1997 Ba LC-1/5 Soyuz-U with Progress-M 36, Inspector 1, Sputnik 40-2
Sputnik 40-2 (RS 17b) N/A 05.10.1997 Ba LC-1/5 Soyuz-U with Progress-M 36, Inspector 1, Sputnik 40 / never deployed
Sputnik 41 (RS 18) 1998-062C 25.10.1998 Ba LC-1/5 Soyuz-U with Progress-M 40, Znamya 2.5
Sputnik 99 (RS 19) 1999-015C 02.04.1999 Ba LC-1/5 Soyuz-U with Progress-M 41
Further RS (Radio Sputnik) missions:
RS 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
RS 10, 11, 12, 13
RS 15 (Radio-ROSTO)
RS 16, 20, 22 (Mozhayets 2, 3, 4)
RS 17a, 17b, 18, 19 (Sputnik 40, 41, 99)
RS 21 (Kolibri-2000)
RS 23 (Universitetsky)
RS 25 (Mozhayets 5)
RS 28 (UGATUSAT)
RS 30, 40 (Yubileyniy 1, 2)
RS 38 (Universitetsky 2)
RS 39 (Chibis-M)
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Hoop Coaches, Life Mentors: Air Force Technical Applications Center Airmen Engage With Community Youth
By Susan A. Romano, AFTAC Public Affairs // November 18, 2018
Peterson brothers encourage others to get involved in community programs
When a Brevard County recreational basketball league was looking for volunteers to coach youth athletes, two brothers assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center stepped up to the challenge. (AFTAC image)
BREVARD COUNTY • PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA – When a Brevard County recreational basketball league was looking for volunteers to coach youth athletes, two brothers assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center stepped up to the challenge.
Staff Sgts. Jarrod and Jordan Peterson, despite having no children of their own, submitted their names for consideration to the Viera Regional Community Center, a multipurpose athletic facility near the base that’s home to fall and spring basketball leagues.
After a face-to-face interview and required background check, the pair were initially assigned to coach 11-12-year-old age groups of eager boys and girls.
Realizing the rec center needed more volunteers, the brothers reached out to some of their co-workers and encouraged them to get involved. They convinced several Airmen to join them as assistant coaches.
“We sought out people with the innate ability to make a difference and to give them a platform to exercise their leadership and public speaking skills,” said Jordan.
“The Air Force looks for those characteristics in its Airmen, and this was a perfect opportunity for some of the junior Airmen here at AFTAC to hone those skills in a completely different environment.”
Meeting twice a week for two hours of practice in preparation for their weekly game, Jordan reached back to his own high school days and employed a coaching style that addressed the various skill levels of his players.
“I used skill-based training, and I sought out players for various positions that I haven’t mastered myself,” he explained.
“Occasionally, I’ll ask them to come to practice and teach their teammates their respective roles on the court. They get a better understanding of what a good player is by learning from their peers, and it doesn’t matter if they’re a boy or a girl – each comes with their own set of abilities and weaknesses, and we work together as a unit, much like the military does, to accomplish our goals.”
Staff Sgt. Jordan Peterson (center) and Airman 1st Class Canaan Kennedy (left) discuss playmaking strategies with their basketball team during a game in Viera, Fla. The Airmen, assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick AFB, Fla., volunteered their off-duty time to serve as coaches and mentors to youth from the local area. (AFTAC image)
His brother continued, “Together, we used our split development to our advantage,” said Jarrod. “Back in the day, Jordan was always more of an aggressive post player, while I was quicker on my feet and focused more on shooting and creating openings. It’s worked well for us.”
Airman 1st Class Canaan Kennedy, one of the co-workers the Petersons recruited to assist with coaching, explained why he chose to get involved.
“I think it’s really important to volunteer because when I was growing up, I had a lot of coaches I considered as role models and mentors,” he said. “Many of them truly made a difference in my life, so I think if I can make a difference to one of my players, it makes it all worthwhile.”
In an age where electronic devices are far more prevalent than basketballs in the hands of today’s youth, children have fewer opportunities for face-to-face interaction with their peers and mentors. Programs like this are helping bridge that gap.
For the past 16 years, Stephane Mohr has worked for Brevard County Parks and Recreation, and is currently Viera Regional Community Center’s recreational leader. She understands the importance of having military members serve as volunteer coaches.
“When people from Patrick AFB come out to help us, their presence shows the kids how to be passionate about something you love,” she said. “The Airmen teach them how to be strong and stay in the fight until the fight is over, win or lose. They also teach them responsibility, respect, discipline, and especially how to just have fun.”
She added, “I have so many parents who request to have their kids play on Jordan and Jarrod’s teams. Even after the season is over, they would check on the players and invite them to play a pick-up game here at the center. I couldn’t ask for better coaches and role models.”
The fraternal twins, who work as web developers for AFTAC’s 709th Cyberspace Squadron, share a passion for basketball, and now after coaching local youth, also share a special place in their hearts for the players who have made such an impact on them.
Staff Sgt. Jordan Peterson, far right, and Staff Sgt. Floridamae Mones, far left, both assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick AFB, Fla., volunteered their time to serve as coaches. Pictured above are, front row, left to right, Justin Lee, Jesse McDuffie, Brielle Basham; middle row, Cole Guest, Graeme Burns, John Banks, Jakai Shack; back row, Cyrus Matini, Kyle Bortz, and Aeddon Burns. (AFTAC image)
“The rec league is an excellent way for these kids to strengthen their friendships, learn new skills, get some exercise and most importantly, have some fun,” said Jarrod.
“Throughout all four of the teams I’ve coached in Viera, I’ve had one player on all four teams: Brielle Basham. She’s the smallest girl in the league, and I’ve seen her grow and evolve, not just physically, but mentally as well. She would constantly approach us looking for ways to improve, and she was always so excited about getting better – so much so that her parents also started to ask us how to make sure she was doing things right. Between her specific talent and her spike in confidence, I’d trust her with the game-winning shot any day.”
Several player-parents showered the Airmen with praise for their involvement.
“I don’t think Coach (Jordan) Peterson will ever know the impact he’s had on my son,” said Tyna Fish, mom of Lashaun, better known to his teammates as Prince.
“He was going through a very dark time in his life, and being a single parent isn’t easy. Lashaun desperately craved a male mentor in his life, so when (Jordan) chose him to be captain of the team, it actually changed his life. I can’t thank him enough for recognizing his ability and giving him the chance to shine. I want him to know how much I appreciate all he’s done!”
Accolades continued from another parent.
“Justin just loved Coach Peterson and Coach Mones,” said Tracy Lee.
“He told me the coaches never treated him ‘like a kid’ and I’ve never seen him love going to practices and games as much as he did with these coaches. And giving him a special military coin for Most Improved Player meant a lot to all of us!”
Over the past three years he’s been coaching at VRCC, Jordan has seen huge growth in his players.
“The influence you may have on a young adult is incredibly fulfilling,” he said. “We had two kids on our squad last year who didn’t want to try out for their high school team when the season started.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Patrick Air Force Base 2018 Technology Expo Set Dec. 5 at The Tides Club
By the time we finished the season and freshman tryouts were underway, we received emails and texts from the parents telling us that their child had made the high school roster. It makes you realize you truly can have an impact. It’s very gratifying.”
The other AFTAC volunteer coaches include Tech. Sgt. Desiree Penn, Airman 1st Class Ruben Vera Colon, Staff Sgt. Dustin Elliott, Airman 1st Class Willie Robinson, Rodney Gaines, and Airman 1st Class Myles McCurdy.
“These Airmen are volunteering their time to help our program be a success, and the kids love them all so much,” Mohr said.
“During our medal and trophy ceremony last season, Jordan brought (military challenge) coins for each of the kids for being most improved, hardest worker, always being on time, never giving up, and so on.
They didn’t have to do that, but I’ll tell you it meant so much to the kids and their parents. I can’t thank them all enough for their time and support, and especially for their service to our country. The world is a much better place because of them!”
The Peterson brothers encourage others to get involved in community programs. “There are countless opportunities for Airmen to play a role in area athletics and youth programs,” said Jarrod.
“You just have to commit the time and effort to it. It does take a lot of dedication, but the rewards far outweigh anything.”
Jordan added, “We’ve had some of our athletes who ‘aged out’ of the program return to volunteer and assist in coaching alongside us in a support role. And a few of them have expressed an interest in joining the Air Force. It doesn’t get much better than that!”
Over 70 Citizen Airmen From the 920th Rescue Wing Earn Community College of the Air Force Degrees
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High-power excimer laser with excellent energy stability
Author(s): Kazuhiro Hirata; Kazuhiro Saida; Hiroyuki Kato
A 200 watts excimer laser with excellent energy stability has been developed. The laser is based on the XMR model 5300, and thorough improvements were made over the XMR5300. The laser can produce a stable output of 200 watts (667 mJ, 300 Hz) under servo-controlled operation over 24 hours (greater than 25 million pulses). During this operation, the output fluctuation was found to be less than 1.5% for (sigma) and 10% for peak to peak. Horizontal and vertical beam divergences were less than 1 mrad and 4 mrad, respectively.
Date Published: 3 April 2000
Proc. SPIE 3889, Advanced High-Power Lasers, (3 April 2000); doi: 10.1117/12.380860
Kazuhiro Hirata, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Japan)
Kazuhiro Saida, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Japan)
Hiroyuki Kato, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Japan)
Advanced High-Power Lasers
Marek Osinski; Howard T. Powell; Koichi Toyoda, Editor(s)
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Book suggestions for Dazed and Confused
John Dies at the End
Clockers
The Rules of Attraction
You should not have touched this flyer with your bare hands. NO, don't put it down. It's too late. They're watching you. My name is David Wong. My best friend is John. Those names are fake. You might want to change yours. You may not want to know about the things you'll read on these pages, about the sauce, about Korrok, about the invasion, and the future. But it's too late. You touched the book. You're in the game. You're under the eye. The only defense is knowledge. You need to read this book, to the end. Even the part with the bratwurst. Why? You just have to trust me. The important thing is this: The drug is called Soy Sauce and it gives users a window into another dimension. John and I never had the chance to say no. You still do. I'm sorry to have involved you in this, I really am. But as you read about these terrible events and the very dark epoch the world is about to enter as a result, it is crucial you keep one thing in mind: None of this was my fault.
* Affiliate link
The New York Times–bestselling author’s “harrowing” novel about a cop and a crack dealer—the basis for the acclaimed Spike Lee film (The New York Times). Rocco Klein, a veteran homicide detective in a New Jersey city just outside Manhattan, has lost his appetite for the wild drama of the street. When a warm June night brings yet another drug murder, Klein has no sense that the case is anything special. A black twenty-year-old steps forward to confess, but a little digging reveals that he’s never been in any kind of trouble, whereas his brother runs a crew of street-corner cocaine dealers—clockers—in a nearby housing project. Soon Klein is sure that Victor Dunham is innocent, sure that his brother, Strike, is the real killer. And suddenly Rocco’s hunger for the job is back. At once an explosive murder mystery and a riveting portrait of two lives on a collision course, Clockers is a gritty tale of suspense from the award-winning screenwriter for HBO’s The Wire, a New York Times–bestselling novelist who “gets so deep under the skin of both the cops and the clockers that it’s hard to believe he himself has never been either” (People). “Page after page explodes with prose as vivid as kinetic art.” —Chicago Tribune “Powerful . . . Harrowing . . . Remarkable.” —The New York Times Book Review “Triumphant . . . An astounding accomplishment.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer
Set at a small New England college, this exploration of romantic entanglements revolves around a curious love triangle involving Lauren, a fickle coed; Paul, a passionate bisexual; and Sean, a cynic
Set in Los Angeles in the early 1980's, Less than Zero has become a timeless classic. This coolly mesmerizing novel is a raw, powerful portrait of a lost generation who have experienced sex, drugs, and disaffection at too early an age. They live in a world shaped by casual nihilism, passivity, and too much money in a place devoid of feeling or hope. Clay comes home for Christmas vacation from his Eastern college and re-enters a landscape of limitless privilege and absolute moral entropy, where everyone drives Porches, dines at Spago, and snorts mountains of cocaine. He tries to renew feelings for his girlfriend, Blair, and for his best friend from high school, Julian, who is careering into hustling and heroin. Clay's holiday turns into a dizzying spiral of desperation that takes him through the relentless parties in glitzy mansions, seedy bars, and underground rock clubs and also into the seamy world of L.A. after dark.
Records the experiences of a free-lance writer who embarked on a zany journey into the drug culture
Joe Dunthorne
At once a self-styled social scientist, a spy in the baffling adult world, and a budding, hormone-driven emotional explorer, Oliver Tate is stealthily nosing his way forward through the murky and uniquely perilous waters of adolescence. His objectives? Uncovering the secrets behind his parents’ teetering marriage, unraveling the mystery that is his alluring and equally quirky classmate Jordana Bevan, and understanding where he fits in among the mystifying beings in his orbit. Struggling to buoy his parents’ wedded bliss, deep-six his own virginity, and sound the depths of heartache, happiness, and the business of being human, what’s a lad to do? Poised precariously on the cusp of innocence and experience, Oliver Tate aims to damn the torpedoes and take the plunge. Now a major motion picture.
Julie Buntin
An electric debut novel about love, addiction, and loss; the story of two girls and the feral year that will cost one her life, and define the other’s for decades Everything about fifteen-year-old Cat’s new town in rural Michigan is lonely and off-kilter, until she meets her neighbor, the manic, beautiful, pill-popping Marlena. Cat, inexperienced and desperate for connection, is quickly lured into Marlena’s orbit by little more than an arched eyebrow and a shake of white-blond hair. As the two girls turn the untamed landscape of their desolate small town into a kind of playground, Cat catalogues a litany of firsts—first drink, first cigarette, first kiss—while Marlena’s habits harden and calcify. Within the year, Marlena is dead, drowned in six inches of icy water in the woods nearby. Now, decades later, when a ghost from that pivotal year surfaces unexpectedly, Cat must try to forgive herself and move on, even as the memory of Marlena keeps her tangled in the past. Alive with an urgent, unshakable tenderness, Julie Buntin’s Marlena is an unforgettable look at the people who shape us beyond reason and the ways it might be possible to pull oneself back from the brink.
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Two observations on the National Audit Office’s Evaluation of Academies
Simon Burgess and Rebecca Allen
Much of the media comment on today’s National Audit Office’s (NAO) report on academies has rightly focussed on issues of governance and financial management. In this post, we dig a little deeper into some of the other claims in the report. We are less optimistic than the NAO – less optimistic that the academy programme has had a direct impact on the improvement of deprived and very poorly performing schools; and less optimistic that these schools are no longer avoided by the middle class.
Are academies outperforming comparator schools?
One key issue is whether academies are outperforming other comparator schools. This question – and the possible answers – illustrates the fundamental problem in policy evaluation. It is never possible to truly observe what would have happened in the absence of the policy. In this case, if a school became an academy it is simply not possible to know for sure what would have happened to it if it had remained as a community school. So researchers have to make assumptions to produce estimates of the effect of the policy. One way is to look at what happened to close comparator schools and to assume that something similar would have happened to the academy: for obvious reasons, this is called matching.
The NAO analyse the GCSE results for the 62 academies that have at least two years of post-opening exam results available. They do this by matching the academies to a set of non-academy schools that have a similar demographic profile in their pupil intake. If we take the widely used indicator of the proportion of pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades at GCSE (including English and maths) academies do indeed appear to have achieved slightly higher growth in this headline statistic than matched non-academies; this is clear in Figure 8, page 19 of the main report.
This analysis answers one specific question – have the results of these schools grown more or less quickly than schools with similar levels of deprivation. This is clearly an interesting question, but it may not be the right question. We need to remember that the original intention of the academy programme was to act as a tool to turn around failing schools. So the early academies were necessarily very poorly performing schools. The right question to ask is whether becoming an academy as part of this programme helped this growth: whether, to use the technical language, there was a causal impact of academy status on exam grades.
The issue is that the schools chosen to become academies early on were very poorly performing schools. For many such schools, the only way to go is up. In other words, a lot of the poorest performing schools would have improved anyway, regardless of academy status. We can see that easily in Figure 1. This shows the improvement in GCSE performance from 2002 to 2009 of schools in the lowest 5% of the ability intake (and by extension, the most deprived schools) and excludes all academies. This Figure suggests that “reversion to the mean” is an important component of the recovery of all poorly performing schools, and we should be cautious in assigning all of that recovery to the academy programme.
NAO show that, having underperformed similarly deprived schools in the early years of data, by 2009 they have indeed caught up and are no different in their performance on the metric of five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths. However, it is worth noting that academies are outperforming schools with a similar demographic profile on the old-style measure of the proportion of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades, excluding English and maths. This suggests academies have been focusing on non-core subjects and NAO note that they are making greater use of vocational qualifications to boost their results than other schools. Michael Gove should therefore bear in mind that downgrading the equivalencies of vocational subjects might substantially change the perceived success of the academies programme.
Are academies becoming less deprived? And is this good or bad?
The second important point made in the report is that the academies programme is becoming substantially less deprived over time. Almost all of this change in the overall average is because succeeding generations of academies have been less deprived, rather than any individual cohort of academies filling up with less deprived children.
But we would go a little further than this. Much of the small decline in the percentage of free school meals eligible (FSM) students within a cohort of academies will be accounted for by the general growth in the economy over that period. The percentage of FSM students was declining in all schools over this time, so nothing special was happening in academies.
In order to shed a little more light on this, we look at another indicator of school composition: we use some of our own schools data on the proportion of pupils who scored in the bottom quartile in the Key Stage two tests at the end of primary school. This is not susceptible to the economic cycle. In the average secondary school, 25% of pupils will have scored in the bottom quartile but academies are more deprived than the typical school so this figure is usually much higher.
Figure 2 shows that the proportion of low ability pupils in year 7 (age 11) cohorts has indeed fallen from a very high figure of 43% in 2002/3 to 34% in 2009/10 – this is the red line. However, any particular cohort of Academies does not appear to follow a pattern of increasing or decreasing ability profile of pupil intakes. For example, the first 2002/3 cohort had 43% low ability pupils in its first year versus 45% in the latest available year of data. Only the 2006/7 and 2007/8 cohorts appear to have improved their ability profile slightly, but both are still substantially more deprived than the typical school.
One perspective on the (un)changing demographic profile of academies is that this is a success: these well-resourced and high-profile schools have not been colonised and taken over by the middle class, elbowing the poorer students out. But another perspective is that these schools remain far more deprived than average, and an increase in the fraction of more affluent students would be beneficial to students and to the school. It appears that neither of these things has occurred – the intakes remain about the same on average as when the schools joined the programme, and the typical academy does not appear to have experienced a substantial new influx of middle class students.
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In Bubbles, Karen Uhlenbeck Sees a Mathematical Universe
For Karen Uhlenbeck, winner of the Abel Prize for math, a whimsical phenomenon offers a window onto higher dimensions.
Kym Cox/Science Source
PRINCETON, N.J. — On the evening of March 19, the mathematician Karen Uhlenbeck gathered with revelers at the Institute for Advanced Study for a champagne reception. Some hours earlier she’d been awarded the Abel Prize — the first time a woman had won it — for her discovery of a phenomenon called “bubbling,” among other effervescent results.
Dr. Uhlenbeck is a professor emerita at the University of Texas at Austin, where she spent the better part of her career (having declined a professorship at Harvard). She retired in 2014 and moved to Princeton. At the institute, she keeps a desk piled with boxes of books. She describes herself as a messy reader, and a messy thinker, and she is stylishly disheveled, with a preference for comfy, colorful clothing with pockets and Birkenstocks with socks.
As a procession of speeches and toasts lauded her life’s work, Dr. Uhlenbeck stood to the side of the lectern and listened, eyes mostly closed. When it finally came time to make her own remarks (unprepared), she began by simply agreeing: “From the perspective of my late seventies, I find myself as a young mathematician sort of impressive, too.”
She went on to note that, for lack of mathematical candidates, her role model had been the chef Julia Child. “She knew how to pick the turkey up off the floor and serve it,” Dr. Uhlenbeck said.
Jo Nelson, a mathematician at Rice University and a friend of Dr. Uhlenbeck, was thrilled that her visit to the institute coincided with a celebration for one of her mentors. “It’s amazing to hear a woman’s mathematical achievements celebrated and discussed in such detail,” she said.
Even Robert MacPherson, a topologist and faculty member in mathematics at the institute, made a rare social appearance. “This is wonderful in so many ways,” he said, holding a mini cosmos of brut rosé bubbles.
A decade ago, Dr. MacPherson and a collaborator formulated an equation describing how, in three and higher dimensions, individual bubbles evolve in live foams — the fleeting foam at the meniscus in his champagne flute, for instance, or the more enduring head on a pint of beer.
Researchers of all stripes have written “many thousands of papers” on bubbles, Andrea Prosperetti, a mechanical engineer at the University of Houston, has estimated. Bubbles entice for their seeming simplicity, which approaches the existential.
“Bubbles are emptiness, non-liquid, a tiny cloud shielding a mathematical singularity,” he wrote. “Born from chance, a violent and brief life ending in the union with the nearly infinite.”
And bubbles are everywhere, on every scale, once you start looking: high-tech drug-delivery mechanisms, emulsified salad dressings, soapsuds, black holes and beyond. In architecture, the Beijing National Aquatics Center is a box of bubbles. It is an application of the Weaire-Phelan foam, the most efficiently packed foam of equal-volume polyhedral bubbles, discovered in 1994 by Irish physicist Denis Weaire and his student Robert Phelan (first using a computer simulation, then created in a lab in 2012).
Dr. Uhlenbeck’s contribution is less practical. The Abel Prize cited “her pioneering achievements in geometric partial differential equations, gauge theory and integrable systems, and for the fundamental impact of her work on analysis, geometry and mathematical physics.” The whimsical name for her work — “bubbling” — belies its prickly technicalities.
“It’s much more abstract and theoretical, and metaphorical,” Dr. Uhlenbeck said.
“Can the poetry of bubbles survive this?”
The definitive piece of literature on bubbles and soap films — a film is the wall of a bubble, and a bubble is one cell in a foam — is “Experimental and Theoretical Statistics of Liquids Subject to Molecular Forces Only,” published in 1873 by Belgian physicist Joseph Plateau.
He experimented with soap bubbles for decades, capturing their behavior in what are now called Plateau’s laws. In a review of the book in Nature, Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell lamented, “Can the poetry of bubbles survive this?”
A soap bubble is the physical world’s solution for a mathematical challenge: to minimize a surface area — in this case, one that surrounds a prescribed volume of air. Nature is always seeking to optimize, to maximize gain at minimal cost in energy cost. So “minimal surfaces” problems are all around, even in higher dimensions, and all kinds of researchers are working to describe the governing rules.
“It is a timeless subject,” said Dr. Uhlenbeck, at her dining room table. On the afternoon of prize day, she had been hiding out at her house, conserving her strength for the party. A founder of a field called geometric analysis, Dr. Uhlenbeck approaches minimal surfaces esoterically, under the banner of “variational methods in geometry.”
“I’ll give you a problem,” she said. “Take a fixed length of string, lie it down on the plane”— such as a table — “and enclose the largest area you can inside. I wobble the string a little bit, I vary it just a little, to see whether the area increases or decreases.” The optimal answer is not a square but a circle. You might try a square, she said: “But by unkinking and smoothing out the corners, you can enclose more area. That’s a variational process.”
In a classic paper from 1976, Cyril Isenberg declared the soap film “an analogue computer.” He used wire frames of polyhedra, such as a tetrahedron or cube, and dipped them in a soapsuds solution in order to compute — faster than a mathematician, certainly — the solution to those particular three-dimensional minimization problems. (Minimization problems are even important these days in deep learning. “The techniques involve minimizing lots and lots and lots of small problems all over the place,” Dr. Uhlenbeck said.)
This method was popularized in the 1940s by Richard Courant, the founding director of the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University. Recently, Courant researchers in the applied mathematics lab conducted a study that concluded that “there is more than one way to blow a bubble.”
Their experiment involved blowing large bubbles of olive oil (Bertolli) in a water tunnel, creating what investigators called “a mathematical river.” This led to a “master formula” describing the critical flow speed needed to blow and pinch off a bubble.
But they also discovered another way to blow a bubble: impose a gentle flow, below the critical speed, on a film that is already somewhat inflated.
“We found this second result surprising,” said Leif Ristroph, one of the study’s authors. “This might explain how we often blow bubbles as kids. A quick puff bends the film outward, and thereafter the film still inflates even as the flow of air slows.”
Last December came news of another bubbling lab creation, this time involving ordinary dishwashing solution and inspired by the scutoid, a new geometric shape discovered last year in a study of tissue cells. “We took up the matter because we had always been interested in the close resemblance of some biological cell systems to soap froths,” said Dr. Weaire.
A scutoid has been compared to a twisted prism — an odd shape for a living cell, but sometimes an optimal one when tissues are growing, curving and developing. Dr. Weaire wondered: Is the scutoid’s optimization imposed by genetics, or merely geometry and the physics of the moment? Is it “simply attributable to the bare bones of the theory of bubbles, that is, just the elementary laws of surface tension, as laid down by Plateau? For this purpose, are cells just bubbles?”
The bubbles answered in the affirmative. The experiment successfully produced “scutoid configurations in a dry foam sandwich” (with a computer simulation to match, embodying only the surface tension forces in a foam).
Theorists also contemplate bubbles at the larger end of the scale spectrum. At the University of Cambridge, Adriana Pesci and other applied mathematicians study soap films that form on the frame of a Möbius strip. “The interesting thing about this investigation is that it all started with solar flares,” Dr. Pesci said.
Astrophysicists have long postulated, if only symbolically, that galaxy clusters have a soapsuds structure. Minimal surfaces also are important in studying black holes, their dynamics driven by a “soap-bubble law.”
The bubbling of instantons, and other secrets
Over the 2018-2019 academic year, researchers from around the world gathered at the Institute for Advanced Study for one of its annual thematic deep dives — a “Special Year in Variational Methods in Geometry,” devoted to minimal surfaces and related tributaries. “It’s the world’s biggest bubble fest around here lately,” said Helmut Hofer, an institute mathematician.
Dr. Uhlenbeck’s contributions were cited often in the seminars and workshops. Hiding out at home on prize day, she missed a talk by Xin Zhou, of the University of California, Santa Barbara, who began with a prefatory reference to one of Dr. Uhlenbeck’s 40-year-old theorems at the top of the chalkboard.
Dr. Zhou, who had just proved one of the remaining open problems in minimal surfaces, invoked her work as an inspiration. “If there had been no Uhlenbeck theorem, people would not dare to try,” he said.
Fernando Codá Marques, a mathematician at Princeton, had been invited to organize the special year around some of his particularly spectacular work — beginning with a 2013 result achieved with his collaborator André Neves, at the University of Chicago.
Since then, Dr. Marques, Dr. Neves and others have been searching out minimal surfaces in closed spaces of various dimensions.
Previously, the best result, long forgotten, dated to 1981 and showed that in any three- or higher-dimensional space, there is always at least one minimal surface. “We were curious if there were more,” said Dr. Marques.
There are, according to the bubbles. A new proof by Antoine Song, a doctoral student of Dr. Marques, rounded out a series of results showing that there are actually infinitely many minimal surfaces, and that they are densely packed and equidistributed.
It’s hard to fathom, even for Dr. Uhlenbeck.
“I’m impressed with the statistical theorems that say that minimal surfaces are all over the place,” she said. “Those kinds of theorems are quite impressive, and a little bit hard to believe.”
One way to understand, or at least contemplate, the nuances of Dr. Uhlenbeck’s work is to consider the challenge of scale. She started drawing about ten years ago — outdoor scenes, mostly — and this led to an unexpected revelation: “I discovered the fascinating fact that the problem of scale occurs both in mathematics and in drawing.”
In drawing, you try to capture both the large scale (the expanse of the forest) and the small scale (the grasses and flowers). “In mathematics, there is very much the same thing,” she said. “The hardest part with both is fitting the two scales together. You need the right tools.”
In physics, she noted, quantum theory deals with the very small, while general relativity deals with the very large, and physicists don’t yet know how to reconcile the two.
Dr. Uhlenbeck’s bubbling dealt with a similar challenge: she observed intricate phenomenon at the small scale, and then she invented tools to investigate regions of interest at a larger, more accessible scale: “You simply blow them up and look at them as if under a magnifying glass, and then you can see what’s happening.”
With this approach she also enabled other theorists to tackle some messy, turkey-on-the-floor situations.
“I’ve had several run-ins with bubbling,” said Edward Witten, a physicist in the institute’s school of natural sciences, lounging on the sofa in his office before his speech at the Abel Prize party.
He tried to explain how the “bubbling of instantons” has various important applications and implications in both mathematics and quantum field theory. (An instanton is an event in space-time, nothing like a champagne reception.)
For mathematicians, Dr. Witten explained, the bubbling of instantons was a technical obstacle in understanding four-dimensional spaces. “For physicists it isn’t just a technical obstacle,” he said. “It also contains secrets. It was the key mystery to understand.”
After bubbling, Dr. Uhlenbeck moved on to other mathematical mysteries for a few decades, but over the last year she has returned to minimal surfaces. Every Friday, her collaborator Penny Smith visits from Lehigh University to talk math. After the Abel Prize whirlwind, Dr. Uhlenbeck, exhausted, took two Fridays off. But when their sessions resume, they’ll dive deep into some even higher-dimensional bubbling.
Here, Dr. Uhlenbeck said, “It gets much messier.”
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https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/2019/03/05/steve-clifford-markelle-fultz-shoulder-injury-is-pretty-significant/
Steve Clifford: Markelle Fultz shoulder injury is 'pretty significant'
When the Philadelphia 76ers face off with the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, they will be welcoming back the first overall pick from the 2017 NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz.
Well, sort of anyway, he’ll be there in spirit.
Fultz was traded to the Magic on trade deadline day in exchange for a package featuring Jonathon Simmons, and Fultz hasn’t played since November 19 when he was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome (“TOS”).
Fultz won’t play in Tuesday’s matchup for the Magic and Orlando coach Steve Clifford says there’s a good chance he doesn’t suit up at all the rest of the season.
“I don’t think so,” Clifford said in an interview with Jared Greenberg and Brendan Haywood on Sirius XM NBA Radio.
“He’s actually still rehabbing his shoulder and he’s still not really able to do much on the floor yet. It’s a pretty significant shoulder injury.”
🔊 @OrlandoMagic HC Steve Clifford joined @JaredSGreenberg & @bwood_33 and gave an update on Markelle Fultz pic.twitter.com/fGMIwI5OC8
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) March 4, 2019
Fultz has averaged 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 19 games this season for Philadelphia and averaged 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 33 games total over 1.5 seasons with the team.
His time with the Sixers was tumultuous, beginning with a mysterious scapular muscle imbalance injury he was diagnosed with just four games into his rookie season. Fultz missed 68 games before returning and playing the final 10 regular season games last season, but was benched in the playoffs in favor of T.J. McConnell.
Fultz’s second season began with him being handed a starting job by coach Brett Brown in an effort to give him a serious chance, but in those 15 games, he still showed an inability to shoot. The Sixers then made the trade for Jimmy Butler, with Fultz being sent back to the bench. Four games later, he was diagnosed with TOS.
It’s safe to say that Sixers fans won’t remember the Fultz era fondly.
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PM, others pay tribute to Sant Ravidas on his birth anniv
National | Written by : IANS| Updated:
New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Prime minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders across the nation on Sunday paid tribute to Sant Ravidas on his birth anniversary.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote "Humble tribute to the great saint Guru Ravidas Ji on his birth anniversary. To bring a positive change in society, he emphasised the spirit of harmony and brotherhood, which is equally relevant today. His education based on justice, equality and service will continue to inspire people in every era."
Remembering the values taught by Ravidas ji, Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot tweeted "My humble tributes on the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas ji, who preached values of equality and social justice. We need to emulate his principles and values in society."
Taking to the Micro-blogging site, Union Home Minister, said "Tributes to the great saint, philosopher, poet and social reformer, Ravidas ji, who gave the message of social unity and harmony in the whole world with his thoughts. He played an important role in removing various social evils, his messages will always guide us."
Paying tributes Union Minister Piyush Goyal, tweeted "My tribute to Ravidas ji on his birth anniversary, the pioneer of the saint tradition of the country.A He started a new era of harmony and devotion in society with his poems and his conduct."
Uttar Pradesh CM, wrote, "Salute to the great saint, poet, and social reformer Sant Ravidas ji on his birth anniversary. Sant Ravidas ji awakened the conscience of the entire society with his personality and gratitude to establish a Samaras society away from the caste-creed differences. Your thoughts and your philosophy will always guide us."
Sant Ravidas was a 14th-century saint and founder of the Bhakti movement in North India.
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A University of Talents
HKUST’s new Guangzhou campus provides an unparalleled opportunity for us to elevate our position as a trendsetter in frontier knowledge and breakthrough research, while contributing to solving the complex challenges facing the world. By balancing disciplinary and cross-disciplinary activities, and on-going development of our educational thinking, our two complementary campuses will serve as dual knowledge hubs, creating a distinct synergy and model for the future.
Delivering an education to enable original scholarship and endeavors
A founding principle of HKUST is that education, original research, and the development of society are integrally linked and best pursued together. In developing this “three-pronged” approach to meet the needs of our changing world, the degree programs we offer and the way we deliver our education must be able to flexibly respond to emerging trends resulting from social changes, including the COVID-19 global pandemic.
To spark and develop the creative thinking and endeavors that will mobilize the full capabilities of our students and on graduation enable them to serve the global community, we will focus on two complementary strategies. We will continue to advance the disciplinary activities of our Schools’ traditional core areas of science, engineering, business and management, and humanities and social science, and those intellectual endeavors that do not neatly fit within a single School’s scope through our Interdisciplinary Programs Office. However, we will also go beyond the University’s existing horizons and conventional academic disciplines to embrace the potential of cross-disciplinary pursuits to generate new vision and human resources that can, among others, contribute to solutions to pressing and complex global challenges impacting the future of our living, work and people.
At the Clear Water Bay campus, we are constantly upgrading our undergraduate curriculum. Cross-disciplinary elements in the form of Extended Majors (Major + X) will be introduced to broaden undergraduates’ perspectives from other disciplines. In addition, we will build on our signature “Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program” (UROP), which offers early hands-on research opportunities on faculty projects, by introducing two more programs, namely an “Undergraduate Teaching Opportunities Program” (UTOP) and “Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program” (UPOP) for workplace immersion and to boost specific career development in students’ areas of interest.
Additional scope and flexibility will be provided by the different degree programs offered at HKUST (Guangzhou), where the setting-up of the new campus creates an exceptional opportunity for the systematic development of cross-disciplinary programs in a complementary way to the disciplinary-oriented efforts on our Clear Water Bay campus, with no duplication of existing programs and academic structures.
On-going improvement of the way we deliver our education is a further priority. This will involve the provision of a stimulating, participatory learning experience, enabled by technology in order to cater to the learning needs of students anywhere. Through a more student-centric pedagogy, interactive exchanges, discussions, and project-based learning, students will learn to think creatively, integrate ideas boldly, solve problems innovatively, and work collaboratively.
Spearheading a dual approach to research excellence
This dual approach will be further reflected in our approach to research excellence. In an era when technology combined with human passion, intelligence, and ingenuity promise to unlock unprecedented understanding of ourselves and the world, HKUST’s new model will contribute to the development of academia as well as address major societal challenges and their implications for humanity, both critical contributions for a global university of the future.
We will promote and support curiosity-driven and open/blue sky pursuits in which the impact may not be initially apparent (for example, discovery of black holes, the double helix) in any discipline, including emerging fields and new areas of expertise. We will also encourage mission-driven, multifaceted efforts that look beyond existing academic boundaries to explore and develop novel cross-disciplinary solutions to practically impact the major challenges facing the world, such as global sustainability, public health, and inequality, as well as contribute to developments of great magnitude, for example, space exploration and human/machine coexistence.
Our dual endeavor will be carried out through increased resources, new physical infrastructure, and the exceptional opportunity offered by the development of HKUST (Guangzhou) to enable the systematic development of cross-disciplinary programs in concert with the disciplinary-oriented efforts at our Clear Water Bay campus.
To assist such activities, the University will strengthen the leadership role of our current cross-disciplinary research institutes to serve as a conduit for engaging faculty and connecting academic units across our two campuses. We will also plan the renewal of our research facilities and devise new policies to achieve self-sustainability of our Central Research Facilities, to ensure that our research environment continues to be attractive to new and existing faculty, to emphasize differentiation and minimize duplication between our two campuses, and to effectively support world-class research.
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http://patreon.com/hobosullivan (But only if you actually want to.)
Sublime Curiosity
A zoo for thought experiments.
Tag Archives: explosion
physics, science
The Moment a Nuke Goes Off
February 22, 2019 hobosullivanbomb, explosion, explosions, fat man, fireball, fission, nuclear, nuke, physics, plasma, rapatronic, science, weapon 2 Comments
Nuclear weapons give me mixed feelings. On the one hand, I really like explosions and physics and crazy shit. But on the other hand, I don’t like that somebody thought “You know what the world needs? A bomb capable of ruining the shit of everybody in an entire city. And you know what we need? Like fifty thousand of the bastards, all in the hands of angry buggers that all have beef with each other.”
That aside, though, the physics of a nuclear explosion is pretty amazing. Especially when you consider that nuclear bombs were developed at a time when: there was no vaccine for polio, commercial airliners hadn’t been invented, the big brains in Framingham hadn’t even started to work out just what causes heart disease, and a computer needed one room for all the vacuum tubes and another for its air conditioning system.
There’s an absolutely awesome 1977 paper by Glasstone & Dolan that describes, in great detail, and from beginning to end, the things that happen when a nuke goes off. The paper’s also surprisingly readable. Even if you’re a little rusty on your physics, you can still learn a hell of a lot just by skimming it. That’s the mark of a good paper.
To me, the most shocking thing in that paper is just how quickly the actual nuclear explosion happens. But first, a little background. This is what the inside of an implosion-type fission bomb looks like (This is the type that was dropped on Nagasaki, and seems to be the fission device used in modern arsenals. Correct me if I’m wrong.)
(Source.)
It looks complicated, but it’s really not. The red thing at the center is the plutonium-239 that actually does the exploding. The dark-gray thing surrounding it is a hollow sphere of uranium-238 (I’ll explain what that’s for in a second). The light-gray thing is an aluminum pusher (I’ll explain that in a second, too). And the peach-colored stuff is the explosive that sets the whole thing off. The yellow things it’s studded with are the detonators.
When the bomb is triggered, the detonators go off. Spherical detonation waves spread through the dark-peach explosives on the outside. When they hit the light-peach cones, the shape of those cones forms the thirty-two separate waves into one smooth, contracting sphere. That spherical implosion wave then passes into the dark-peach charges surrounding the aluminum pusher. So far, the process has taken roughly 30 microseconds.
When the implosion wave hits the pusher, it crushes the aluminum inward, generating remarkable pressures. This takes something like 10 microseconds. The pusher’s job is to evenly transfer the implosion force to the core.
The imploding pusher then crushes the uranium tamper in roughly 15 microseconds. The tamper serves two purposes: it helps reflect the neutrons generated by the plutonium-238, and, being such a dense, heavy metal, its inertia keeps the core from blowing itself apart too quickly, so more of it can fission.
Speaking of the core, a whole bunch of crazy shit is about to happen in there. Normally, I don’t think of metals as the sort of thing you can compress. But when you’ve got hundreds of kilos of high explosives all pointing inwards, you can compress anything. The core is a whopping 6.4 kilos of plutonium (14 pounds). That’s how much plutonium it takes to wreck an entire city. But just having 6.4 kilos of plutonium lying around isn’t that dangerous. (Relatively speaking.) 6.4 kilos is below plutonium’s critical mass. At least, it is at normal densities. That implosion wave, though, crushes the plutonium down much smaller, until it passes the critical limit by density alone. (There’s also a fancy polonium-210 initiator in the center, to make sure the core goes off when it’s supposed to, but this post is already getting too rambly…)
Once the plutonium passes its critical limit, things happen very quickly. Inevitably, a neutron will be emitted from an atom. That neutron will strike a Pu-238 nucleus and cause it to fission and release a couple more neutrons. Each of these neutrons sets off another Pu-238 nucleus, and bam! We’ve got the right conditions for an exponential chain reaction.
Still, from the outside, it doesn’t look like much has happened. It’s been approximately a hundred microseconds since the detonators detonated, but next to none of the plutonium’s fission energy has been released. Here’s a graph to explain why:
(Generated using the excellent fooplot.com)
Here, the x-axis represents time in nanoseconds. The y-axis represents the number of neutrons, expressed as a percentage of the number needed to release 21 kilotons-TNT of energy (the amount of energy released by the Fat Man bomb that destroyed Nagasaki). At time-zero, the neutron that initiates the chain reaction is released. And by time 240, all of the energy has been released. But the thing to notice is that it takes all of 50 nanoseconds for the vast, vast majority of the fissions to happen. That is to say, the plutonium core does all the fissioning it’s going to do–releases all of its energy–within 50 nanoseconds.
21 kilotons-TNT released over 50 nanoseconds is equivalent to a power of 1.757e21 Watts. That’s ten thousand times more power than the Earth receives from the sun. That’s roughly 5 millionths of a solar luminosity, which sounds small, until you realize that, for those 50 nanoseconds, a 14-pound lump of gray metal is producing 0.0005% as much power as an entire star.
The nuclear explosion happens so fast, in fact, that by the time it’s finished, the x-ray light released just as the chain reaction took off has only traveled 15 meters (about 49 feet). Everything happens so rapidly that the bomb’s components might as well be stationary. The casing might be starting to bulge outward from the detonation of the implosion device, and the bomb, while still bomb-shaped, is rapidly evaporating into plasma as hot as the core of the fucking sun. But even at those temperatures, the atoms in the bomb haven’t had time to move more than a couple centimeters. So, by the time the nuclear detonation has finished, the bomb and the surrounding air look something like this:
But perhaps the wildest thing of all is that we’re not limited to hypothetical renderings here. We actually know, thanks to the incomparable Harold Edgerton, exactly what those first moments of a nuclear explosion look like. Doc Edgerton developed the rapatronic camera, whose clever magneto-optic shutter is capable of opening and closing with an exposure time of as little as 10 nanoseconds. The results of Mr. Edgerton’s work speak for themselves:
The thing above is the “shot cab” for a nuclear test. It’s a little shack on top of a tower, with a nuclear bomb inside. In this picture, the bomb has already gone off. Those white rectangles are actually the cab’s wall panels, being made to glow brightly by the scream of X-rays bombarding them. And those ominous-looking mushroom-shaped puffs are where the X-rays have just started to escape into the air and make a nuclear fireball. A moment (probably measured in nanoseconds) later, the fireball looks like this:
I take my hat off to Mr. Edgerton for having the guts to say “Oh? You need a photograph of the first microsecond of a nuclear explosion? Yeah. I can probably make that happen.” (Incidentally, both those photos are taken from the paper “Photography of Early Stages of Nuclear Explosions”, by Edgerton himself, which is, regrettably, behind a fucking paywall. Grumble grumble.)
And, thanks to sonicbomb.com, we can see the evolution of one of these nightmare fireballs:
Progressing from left to right and top to bottom, we can see the shot cab glowing a little. Then glowing a lot. Then erupting in x-ray hellfire. And after that, just sort of turning into plasma, which things that close to a nuclear explosion tend to do.
Soon enough, this baby fireball evolves into a nightmarish jellyfish from the deepest pit in Hell:
The horrifying spikes emerging from the bottom of the fireball are caused by the so-called “rope-trick effect”: they’re the guy wires supporting the shot tower vaporizing and exploding under the onslaught of radiation from the explosion.
And soon enough (after about 16 milliseconds), the fireball swells into a monster like this:
(Source. Note, this is the fireball from the Trinity test, humanity’s first-ever nuclear explosion.)
It’s worth noting that, at this point, 16 milliseconds after the bomb goes off, your retinas have barely had time to respond to the flash. In the roughly 75 to 100 milliseconds it takes the retinal signal to travel down the optic nerves and reach your brain, you are already being exposed to maximum thermal radiation. And after a typical human reaction time (something like 150 to 250 milliseconds), about the time it takes to consciously register something, you’re probably already on fire.
So nuclear explosions are cool, and they’re awe-inspiring, but I must pose the question once again: who the hell saw the plans for these hell-bombs and thought “Yeah. That’s a thing that needs to exist. We need to have that nightmare hanging over humanity’s head forever! Let’s build one!”
astronomy, physics, science, Space, thought experiment
If the Sun went Supernova
December 21, 2017 hobosullivanbreakout, collapse, core, destruction of earth, disaster, earth, end of the world, experiment, explosion, hypothetical, nova, shock, shock breakout, solar, sun, supernova, supernovae, thought, thought experiment Leave a comment
I have to preface this article by saying that yes, I know I’m hardly the first person to consider this question.
I also have to add that, according to current physics (as of this writing in December 2017), the Sun won’t ever go supernova. It’s not massive enough to produce supernova conditions. But hey, I’ll gladly take any excuse to talk about supernovae, because supernovae are the kind of brain-bending, scary-as-hell, can’t-wrap-your-feeble-meat-computer-around-it events that make astronomy so creepy and amazing.
So, for the purposes of this thought experiment, let’s say that, at time T + 0.000 seconds, all the ingredients of a core-collapse supernova magically appear at the center of the Sun. What would that look like, from our point of view here on Earth? Well, that’s what I’m here to find out!
From T + 0.000 seconds to 499.000 seconds
This is the boring period where nothing happens. Well, actually, this is the nice period where life on Earth can continue to exist, but astrophysically, that’s pretty boring. Here’s what the Sun looks like during this period:
Pretty much normal. Then, around 8 minutes and 19 seconds (499 seconds) after the supernova, the Earth is hit by a blast of radiation unlike anything ever witnessed by humans.
Neutrinos are very weird, troublesome particles. As of this writing, their precise mass isn’t known, but it’s believed that they do have mass. And that mass is tiny. To get an idea of just how tiny: a bacterium is about 45 million times less massive than a grain of salt. A bacterium is 783 billion times as massive as a proton. Protons are pretty tiny, ghostly particles. Electrons are even ghostlier: 1836 times less massive than a proton. (In a five-gallon / 19 liter bucket of water, the total mass of all the electrons is about the mass of a smallish sugar cube; smaller than an average low-value coin.)
As of this writing (December 2017, once again), the upper bound on the mass of a neutrino is 4.26 million times smaller than the mass of an electron. On top of that, they have no electric charge, so the only way they can interact with ordinary matter is by the mysterious weak nuclear force. They interact so weakly that (very approximately), out of all the neutrinos that pass through the widest part of the Earth, only one in 6.393 billion will collide with an atom.
But, as XKCD eloquently pointed out, supernovae are so enormous and produce so many neutrinos that their ghostliness is canceled out. According to XKCD’s math, 8 minutes after the Sun went supernova, every living creature on Earth would absorb something like 21 Sieverts of neutrino radiation. Radiation doses that high have a 100% mortality rate. You know in Hollywood how they talk about the “walking ghost” phase of radiation poisoning? Where you get sick for a day or two, and then you’re apparently fine until the effects of the radiation catch up with you and you die horribly? At 21 Sieverts, that doesn’t happen. You get very sick within seconds, and you get increasingly sick for the next one to ten days or so, and then you die horribly. You suffer from severe vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, confusion, fluid loss, fever, cardiac complications, neurological complications, and worsening infections as your immune system dies. (If you’re brave and have a strong stomach, you can read about what 15-20 Sieverts/Gray did to a poor fellow who was involved in a radiation accident in Japan. It’s NSFW. It’s pretty grisly.)
But the point is that we’d all die when the neutrinos hit. I’m no religious scholar, but I think it’d be appropriate to call the scene Biblical. It’d be no less scary than the scary-ass shit that happens in in Revelation 16. (In the King James Bible, angels pour out vials of death that poison the water, the earth, and the Sun, and people either drop dead or start swearing and screaming.) In our supernova Armageddon, the air flares an eerie electric blue from Cherenkov radiation, like this…
…and a few seconds later, every creature with a central nervous system starts convulsing. Every human being on the planet starts explosively evacuating out both ends. If you had a Jupiter-sized bunker made of lead, you’d die just as fast as someone on the surface. In the realm of materials humans can actually make, there’s no such thing as neutrino shielding.
But let’s pretend we can ignore the neutrinos. We can’t. They contain 99% of a supernova’s energy output (which is why they can kill planets despite barely interacting with matter). But let’s pretend we can, because otherwise, the only spectators will be red, swollen, feverish, and vomiting, and frankly, I don’t need any new nightmares.
T + 499.000 seconds to 568.570 seconds (8m13s to 9m28.570s)
If we could ignore the neutrino radiation (we really, really can’t), this would be another quiet period. That’s kinda weird, considering how much energy was just released. A typical supernova releases somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 × 10^44 Joules, give or take an order of magnitude. The task of conveying just how much energy that is might be beyond my skills, so I’m just going to throw a bunch of metaphors at you in a panic.
According to the infamous equation E = m c^2, 10^44 Joules would mass 190 times as much as Earth. The energy alone would have half the mass of Jupiter. 10^44 Joules is (roughly) ten times as much energy as the Sun will radiate in its remaining 5 billion years. If you represented the yield of the Tsar Bomba, the largest nuclear device ever set off, by the diameter of a human hair, then the dinosaur-killing (probably) Chicxulub impact would stretch halfway across a football field, Earth’s gravitational binding energy (which is more or less the energy needed to blow up the planet) would reach a third of the way to the Sun, and the energy of a supernova would reach well past the Andromeda galaxy. 1 Joule is about as much energy as it takes to pick up an egg, a golf ball, a small apple, or a tennis ball (assuming “pick up” means “raise to 150 cm against Earth gravity.”) A supernova releases 10^44 of those Joules. If you gathered together 10^44 water molecules, they’d form a cube 90 kilometers on an edge. It would reach almost to the edge of space. (And it would very rapidly stop being a cube and start being an apocalyptic flood.)
Screw it. I think XKCD put it best: however big you think a supernova is, it’s bigger than that. Probably by a factor of at least a million.
And yet, ignoring neutrino radiation (we still can’t do that), we wouldn’t know anything about the supernova until nine and a half minutes after it happened. Most of that is because it takes light almost eight and a quarter minutes to travel from Sun to Earth. But ionized gas is also remarkably opaque to radiation, so when a star goes supernova, the shockwave that carries the non-neutrino part of its energy to the surface only travels at about 10,000 kilometers per second. That’s slow by astronomical standards, but not by human ones. To get an idea of how fast 10,000 kilometers per second is, let’s run a marathon.
At the same moment, the following things leave the start line: Usain Bolt at full sprint (10 m/s), me in my car (magically accelerating from 0 MPH to 100 MPH in zero seconds), a rifle bullet traveling at 1 kilometer per second (a .50-caliber BMG, if you want to be specific), the New Horizons probe traveling at 14 km/s (about as fast as it was going when it passed Pluto), and a supernova shockwave traveling at 10,000 km/s.
Naturally enough, the shockwave wins. It finishes the marathon (which is roughly 42.195 kilometers) in 4.220 milliseconds. In that time, New Horizons makes it 60 meters. The bullet has traveled just under 14 feet (422 cm). My car and I have traveled just over six inches (19 cm). Poor Usain Bolt probably isn’t feeling as speedy as he used to, since he’s only traveled an inch and a half (4.22 cm). That’s okay, though: he’d probably die of exhaustion if he ran a full marathon at maximum sprint. And besides, he’s about to be killed by a supernova anyway.
T + 569 seconds
If you’re at a safe distance from a supernova (which is the preferred location), the neutrinos won’t kill you. If you don’t have a neutrino detector, when a supernova goes off, the first detectable sign is the shock breakout: when the shockwave reaches the star’s surface. Normally, it takes in the neighborhood of 20 hours before the shock reaches the surface of its parent star. That’s because supernovas (at least the core-collapse type we’re talking about) usually happen inside enormous, bloated supergiants. If you put a red supergiant where the Sun is, then Jupiter would be hovering just above its surface. They’re that big.
The Sun is much smaller, and so it only takes a couple minutes for the shock to reach the surface. And when it does, Hell breaks loose. There’s a horrific wave of radiation trapped behind the opaque shock. When it breaks out, it heats it to somewhere between 100,000 and 1,000,000 Kelvin. Let’s split the difference and say 500,000 Kelvin. A star’s luminosity is determined by two things: its temperature and its surface area. At the moment of shock breakout, the Sun has yet to actually start expanding, so its surface area remains the same. Its temperature, though, increases by a factor of almost 100. Brightness scales in proportion to the fourth power of temperature, so when the shock breaks out, the Sun is going to shine something like 56 million times brighter. Shock breakout looks something like this:
But pretty soon, it looks like this:
Unsurprisingly, this ends very badly for everybody on the day side. Pre-supernova, the Earth receives about 1,300 watts per square meter. Post-supernova, that jumps up to 767 million watts per square meter. To give you some perspective: that’s roughly 700 times more light than you’d be getting if you were currently being hit in the face by a one-megaton nuclear fireball. Once again: However big you think a supernova is, it’s bigger than that.
All the solids, liquids, and gases on the day side very rapidly start turning into plasma and shock waves. But things go no better for people on the night side. Let’s say the atmosphere scatters or absorbs 10% of light after passing through its 100 km depth. That means that, after passing through one atmosphere-depth, 90% of the light remains. Since the distance, across the Earth’s surface, to the point opposite the sun is about 200 atmosphere-depths, that gives us an easy equation for the light on the night side: [light on the day side] * (0.9)^200. (10% is approximate. After searching for over an hour, I couldn’t find out exactly how much light the air scatters, and although there are equations for it, I was getting a headache. Rayleigh scattering is the relevant phenomenon, if you’re looking for the equations to do the math yourself).
On the night side, even after all that atmospheric scattering, you’re still going to burn to death. You’ll burn to death even faster if the moon’s up that night, but even if it’s not, enough light will reach you through the atmosphere alone that you’ll burn either way. If you’re only getting light via Rayleigh scattering, you’re going to get something like 540,000 watts per square meter. That’s enough to set absolutely everything on fire. It’s enough to heat everything around you to blowtorch temperatures. According to this jolly document, that’s enough radiant flux to give you a second-degree burn in a tenth of a second.
T + 5 minutes to 20 minutes
We live in a pretty cool time, space-wise. We know what the surfaces of Pluto, Vesta, and Ceres look like. We’ve landed a probe on a comet. Those glorious lunatics at SpaceX just landed a booster that had already been launched, landed, and refurbished once. And we’ve caught supernovae in the act of erupting from their parent stars. Here’s a graph, for proof:
(Source. Funnily enough, the data comes from the awesome Kepler planet-hunting telescope.)
The shock-breakout flash doesn’t last very long. That’s because radiant flux scales with the fourth power of temperature, so if something gets ten times hotter, it’s going to radiate ten thousand times as fast, which means, in a vacuum, it’s going to cool ten thousand times faster (without an energy source). So, that first bright pulse is probably going to last less than an hour. But during that hour, the Earth’s going to absorb somewhere in the neighborhood of 3×10^28 Joules of energy, which is enough to accelerate a mass of 4.959×10^20 kg. to escape velocity. In other words: that sixty-minute flash is going to blow off the atmosphere and peel off the first 300 meters of the Earth’s crust. Still better than a grisly death by neutrino poisoning.
T + 20 minutes to 4 hours
This is another period during which things get better for a little while. Except for the fact that pretty much everything on the Earth’s surface is either red-hot or is now part of Earth’s incandescent comet’s-tail atmosphere, which contains, the plants, the animals, most of the surface, and you and me. “Better” is relative.
It doesn’t take long for the shock-heated sun to cool down. The physics behind this is complicated, and I don’t entirely understand it, if I’m honest. But after it cools, we’re faced with a brand-new problem: the entire mass of the sun is now expanding at between 5,000 and 10,000 kilometers per second. And its temperature only cools to something like 6,000 Kelvin. So now, the sun is growing larger and larger and larger, and it’s not getting any cooler. We’re in deep dookie.
Assuming the exploding sun is expanding at 5,000 km/s, it only takes two and a quarter minutes to double in size. If it’s fallen back to its pre-supernova temperature (which, according to my research, is roughly accurate), that means it’s now four times brighter. Or, if you like, it’s as though Earth were twice as close. Earth is experiencing the same kind of irradiance that Mercury once saw. (Mercury is thoroughly vaporized by now.)
In 6 minutes, the Sun has expanded to four times its original size. It’s now 16 times brighter. Earth is receiving 21.8 kilowatts per square meter, which is enough to set wood on fire. Except that there’s no such thing as wood anymore, because all of it just evaporated in the shock-breakout flash.
At sixteen and a quarter minutes, the sun has grown so large that, even if you ignored the earlier disasters, the Earth’s surface is hot enough to melt aluminum.
The sun swells and swells in the sky. Creepy mushroom-shaped plumes of radioactive nickel plasma erupt from the surface. The Earth’s crust, already baked to blackened glass, glows red, then orange, then yellow. The scorched rocks melt and drip downslope like candle wax. And then, at four hours, the blast wave hits. If you thought things couldn’t get any worse, you haven’t been paying attention.
T + 4 hours
At four hours, the rapidly-expanding Sun hits the Earth. After so much expansion, its density has decreased by a factor of a thousand, or thereabouts. Its density corresponds to about the mass of a grain of sand spread over a cubic meter. By comparison, a cubic meter of sea-level air contains about one and a quarter kilograms.
But that whisper of hydrogen and heavy elements is traveling at 5,000 kilometers per second, and so the pressure it exerts on the Earth is shocking: 257,000 PSI, which is five times the pressure it takes to make a jet of abrasive-laden water cut through pretty much anything (there’s a YouTube channel for that). The Earth’s surface is blasted by winds at Mach 600 (and that’s relative to the speed of sound in hot, thin hydrogen; relative to the speed of sound in ordinary air, it’s Mach 14,700). One-meter boulders are accelerated as fast as a bullet in the barrel of a gun (according to the formulae, at least; what probably happens is that they shatter into tiny shrapnel like they’ve been hit by a gigantic sledgehammer). Whole hills are blown off the surface. The Earth turns into a splintering comet. The hydrogen atoms penetrate a full micron into the surface and heat the rock well past its boiling point. The kinetic energy of all that fast-moving gas delivers 10^30 watts, which is enough to sand-blast the Earth to nothing in about three minutes, give or take.
T + 4 hours to 13h51m
And the supernova has one last really mean trick up its sleeve. If a portion of the Earth survives the blast (I’m not optimistic), then suddenly, that fragment’s going to find itself surrounded on all sides by hot supernova plasma. That’s bad news. There’s worse news, though: that plasma is shockingly radioactive. It’s absolutely loaded with nickel-56, which is produced in huge quantities in supernovae (we’re talking up to 5% of the Sun’s mass, for core-collapse supernovae). Nickel-56 is unstable. It decays first to radioactive cobalt-56 and then to stable iron-56. The radioactivity alone is enough to keep the supernova glowing well over a million times as bright as the sun for six months, and over a thousand times as bright as the sun for over two years.
A radiation dose of 50 Gray will kill a human being. The mortality rate is 100% with top-grade medical care. The body just disintegrates. The bone marrow, which produces the cells we need to clot our blood and fight infections, turns to blood soup. 50 Gray is equivalent to the deposition of 50 joules of radiation energy per kilogram. That’s enough to raise the temperature of a kilo of flesh by 0.01 Kelvin, which you’d need an expensive thermometer to measure. Meanwhile, everything caught in the supernova fallout is absorbing enough radiation to heat it to its melting point, to its boiling point, and then to ionize it to plasma. A supernova remnant is insanely hostile to ordinary matter, and doubly so to biology. If the Earth hadn’t been vaporized by the blast-wave, it would be vaporized by the gamma rays.
And that’s the end of the line. There’s a reason astronomers were so shocked to discover planets orbiting pulsars: pulsars are born in supernovae, and how the hell can a planet survive one of those?
All kinds of explosions.
November 22, 2014 hobosullivanblack, blast, energy, experiment, explosion, extinction, hole, magic, megaton, sphere, supernova, thought 3 Comments
As you’ve probably worked out by now, I’m a big fan of explosions. Since this ridiculous blog began, I’ve blown up rabbits (don’t worry–hypothetical rabbits), stellar-mass balls of gold, grains of neutronium, and I’ve nearly blown up the earth with an ultrarelativistic BB gun. As you’ve probably also figured out, I’m a big fan of bizarre thought experiments, thought experiments based on ideas boiled and distilled down to their absolute essentials. With that in mind, let’s blow some more shit up!
But before we can get started, we have to decide what an explosion is. For the purpose of this thought experiment, we’re going to use a one-meter-diameter sphere of space anchored to the surface of the Earth, just touching the ground. The explosions will consist of energy (in the form of photons of an appropriate wavelength) magically teleported into this sphere. (I still haven’t decided what symbol to use for the magic teleporter in my Feynman diagrams.) With that cleared up, let’s get blastin’.
The smallest possible explosion.
It’s pretty difficult to decide on the lower limit for the size of a one-meter-diameter explosion. First of all, that one-meter sphere is already full of all kinds of energy: solar photons, the kinetic energy of air molecules moving at high speeds, the rest-mass energy of those air molecules, et cetera. But even if the sphere were completely evacuated, quantum mechanics tells us that the lowest amount of energy that a volume of space can possess is greater than zero: its zero-point energy or vacuum energy.
To simplify things (and to keep me from having to learn the entirety of gauge field theory while writing a blog post), we’re going to say that the lowest-energy explosion we can create has the energy of the longest-wavelength (and therefore lowest-energy) photon we can fit in the sphere: 1 meter. That’s towards the high-frequency (short-wavelength) end of the radio spectrum. It’s not quite a microwave (those have wavelengths on the order of a centimeter), but it’s shorter than the photons used to transmit FM radio signals. Needless to say, it would impart a pretty much un-measurable quantity of energy to our sphere of air. A 1-meter photon carries 1.986×10e-25 joules of energy, the same energy as an oxygen molecule puttering along at a grandmotherly 6 miles per hour (10 kph).
The most efficient possible explosion.
But while we’re using our magic vacuum-fluctuation laser (lots of magic in this article…), we might as well see how big an explosion we can make with a single photon. We know the minimum is 1.986×10e-25 joules. But what’s the highest-energy photon we can stick in there? (Sounds like a plot to a horrible science porno…) I’m not a physicist, but I would guess that it’s a photon with a wavelength of 1 Planck length. Here’s my logic: the Planck length is the smallest length that makes sense according to our current laws of physics. To carry energy, an electromagnetic wave must change over time (or space, which work out to be part of the same thing). In order to take two different values, the wave’s crest and trough must be at least 1 Planck length apart. Of course, weird things happen on the Planck scale, so who knows if an electromagnetic field varying by a large quantity over 1 planck length would even make sense, or even behave like a photon, but you can say this with some certainty: a photon with a wavelength shorter than that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
A photon with a wavelength this short would be off-scale, as far as the electromagnetic spectrum goes. By definition, it would be a hard gamma ray, but that’s only because we humans don’t have access to the high-energy regions of the spectrum, so we say “Anything with a wavelength between A and B is an X-ray. Anything with a wavelength between B and zero is a gamma ray. Stupid gamma rays. Who needs ’em?”
This is a gross oversimplification, but photons tend to prefer to interact with objects that are roughly their same size. Visible photons interact with the electron clouds of large molecules (like chlorophyll, which is good if you like oxygen). Infrared photons interact with large molecules directly, making them rotate or move. Radio-frequency photons interact only with big crowds of mobile electrons, like you find in plasma or radio antennas. In the other direction, ultraviolet photons interact with atoms and their bonds, either knocking outer electrons loose or breaking the bonds. X-ray photons interact with the tightly-bound electrons in lower energy states (I’m afraid to say “closer to the nucleus,” because that’s not quite right, and people smarter than me will make fun of me; but we’ll pretend that’s how it works to speed things along). Gamma-ray photons interact with the nucleus directly. They can push the nucleus into strange high-energy states or, if they’re the right wavelength, pelt protons and neutrons loose.
The physics of extremely short-wavelength gamma rays is much more complicated. That’s partly because, once a gamma ray passes an energy greater than 1022 keV (the kinds of energies you get when you heat something to several billion Kelvin) have enough mass-energy that they can spontaneously turn into matter: a 1023 keV gamma ray can briefly become an electron and a positron, which rapidly annihilate to re-form the gamma ray. The higher your photon’s energy gets, the more important these bizarre transformations become. Basically, once you get above 1022 keV, your photons start behaving less and less like light and more and more like matter.
Our Planck-length photon would (probably) be small enough to pass through all ordinary matter. It might pop a quark loose of a proton or a neutron, but I don’t really know. This photon would carry an energy far greater than 1022 keV. Indeed, its energy wouldn’t be measured in the peculiar particle-physics unit of the electronvolt, but rather in freakin’ megawatt-hours. This photon would add as much energy to our sphere as the explosion of three tons of TNT, which would form a cube large enough to contain our sphere with room to spare. From one…single…photon. Physics is scary.
Explosions, both conventional and nuclear (ain’t I posh?).
If you Google the phrase “largest conventional explosion,” you’ll probably dig up an article on Operation Sailor Hat, in which the U.S. Navy built a 500-ton Minecraft-style sphere of TNT:
It made a real mess of the decommissioned test ships anchored just offshore, and left a crater in Hawai’i that still exists to this day. It remains one of the largest intentional non-nuclear explosions humans have ever created. This isn’t relevant to our thought experiment, but I’m easily distracted by 500-ton piles of TNT.
In everyday life, a “conventional explosion” is one created by a chemical reaction of some kind. This ranges from the rapid burning of a lot of wheat dust in a grain silo to the bizarre high-tech cube-shaped molecule octanitrocubane. An explosion that gets most of its power from the fission of radioactive elements (or the fusion of light elements) is a nuclear explosion. Simple.
But you can think of it another way: the difference between conventional chemical explosions and nuclear explosions is a matter of temperature. Explosives like TNT produce gases with temperatures of thousands of degrees Kelvin. Nuclear explosions produce temperatures in the million to hundred million Kelvin range.
Since we’ve got a magic sphere of air we can pump energy into (how convenient!), let’s make one of each kind of explosion!
For the conventional explosion, we’ll heat the air to a temperature of 5,000 Kelvin (about as hot as the surface of the sun). Our sphere has a volume of 0.52 cubic meters, and air has a volumetric heat capacity of about 0.001 joules per cubic centimeter per Kelvin. Therefore, heating the air to 5,000 kelvin will require 2.6 million joules. We’re talking about a decent-sized bang here, equivalent to just over half a kilogram of TNT. Not exactly spectacular, but certainly not the kind of explosion you want to hold in your hand. (Actually, thinking about it, why would you want to hold any explosion in your hand? That was silly of me.)
For the nuclear explosion, we’ll heat our sphere to 10 million Kelvin, which is a compromise, since nuclear explosions are complicated beasties and their temperature varies very rapidly in the span of microseconds. I should point out that I’m still using a volumetric heat capacity of 0.001 joules per cubic centimeter per Kelvin, which is absurd. At these temperatures, we’re not just making molecules move faster–we’re breaking them apart. And blasting electrons off the individual atoms. Both of these things take energy, so heating the plasma to 10 million Kelvin will actually require more energy input than my idealized equation suggests. But I digress. We’re looking at an explosive energy of about 5.2 billion Joules, which is about one and a quarter tons of TNT. I’m disappointed. Even the smallest nuclear weapon ever made had a yield larger than that. (Incidentally, the smallest nuclear weapon ever made (by the U.S., at least) was the W54 warhead. This is what they used in the “Davy Crockett,” which was a nuclear warhead launched from a fucking bazooka. Think about that.)
But the real temperature of a young nuclear fireball (good name for a band) is probably higher than this. After the fission of the nuclear material is complete, there’s a brief period where the nuclear explosion is mostly made up of high-energy nuclear radiation (hard x-rays, gamma rays, and particles). Then, it gets absorbed by the evaporating bomb casing and the surrounding air and (mostly) turns into heat. It’s not unreasonable to assume that the temperature in a baby nuclear fireball (bad idea for a child’s doll) is closer to 100 million Kelvin, which works out to almost twelve and a half tons of TNT. Still not nuclear in the traditional sense, but certainly more than enough to bust up a whole city block.
Turning it up to 10.
I’m tired of messing around. I want a real boom. We’re sticking a full megaton into that sphere, and damn the consequences!
Well, with energy densities this high, you can’t really even pretend that the volumetric heat capacity equation applies. Even at 100 million Kelvin, we were getting into the region where atoms are stripped of most or all of their electrons, which is where matter stops behaving even remotely the way it does at ambient temperatures. Much hotter, and we’re going to start splitting the atoms themselves.
Instead, to describe the conditions in our magic sphere when 1 megaton is pumped into it, I’m going to make two assumptions: the energy is deposited over the course of 1 nanosecond, and the superheated sphere radiates like a thermodynamic blackbody, which is to say the same way red-hot steel does and stars (mostly) do.
An energy release of 1 megaton over 1 nanosecond gives us 4.184 trillion trillion watts of radiated power. The sphere will very briefly shine as bright as a small star, and will have a surface temperature of 69 million Kelvin. Then, ba-boom, say goodbye to your city. Next time you build a city, don’t go letting people like me build magic energy-spheres in the middle. I hope you’ve learned your lesson.
This thing goes to 11.
Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.
Let’s stick in 50 megatons now. That’s about the energy released by the Tsar Bomba, a Soviet hydrogen bomb that produced a mushroom cloud that rose above the top of the stratosphere. For comparison, really impressive explosions and big thunderstorms and volcanic eruptions and such are lucky if they can make it into the stratosphere at all, let alone breaking all the way through the damn thing.
I can do all the math here just like before: 210 trillion trillion watts, a temperature of 185 million Kelvin, yadda yadda yadda. The thing is, as I wrote in “A Piece of a Neutron Star“, up to a point, an explosion is an explosion. The energy of an explosion gets spread over a large volume fairly quickly, and ordinary fluid dynamics and thermodynamics take over. Ever notice how a conventional explosive produces a mushroom cloud that looks an awful lot like the mushroom from a nuclear explosion? That’s because both are powered by the same thing: a rising plume of hot air. While it’s true that in the nuclear explosion there’s a lot more air and it’s a hell of a lot hotter, it’s easy to see that the two are related. They’re part of the same spectrum. A nuclear explosion is like a conventional explosion, only it’s larger, and it produces a lot more radiant heat.
This thing goes to 111.
This scaling law (which real physicists have investigated in great detail) seems to hold for larger and larger energies. Small asteroid impacts create explosions that are very much like nuclear explosions (with some extra effects from high-velocity ejecta and from the entry trail and so on). Even impacts like Chicxulub (which may or may not have helped kill off the dinosaurs, but certainly ruined everybody’s day for several thousand years) produce a fairly ordinary shockwave, and then a fireball that reaches an enormous, but reasonable, size before cooling to ordinary temperatures. The excellent Impact Effects Calculator tells me that a Chicxulub-like impact would produce a visible fireball with a radius of about 66 kilometers. This would reach up through the stratosphere, and about halfway to the edge of space, so it would probably be flattened, with a blurry, undefined edge at the top, but it would still be very much like what it is: a 100 million megaton explosion.
But like all scaling laws, the explosion spectrum eventually gives out. Once you start imagining blasts with the same kinetic energy as, say, a 100-kilometer-wide stone asteroid, you’ve passed over a threshold. Beyond this threshold, the assumptions that let us imagine our earlier explosions break down. Assumptions like “Shockwaves and heat plumes travel through the atmosphere, but the atmosphere doesn’t go flying off or anything” and “The crust is firmly attached to the rest of the Earth.” (It’s nice that we live in a time when we can make assumptions like that. Not that we could live in a time when the crust wasn’t attached, but it’s nice to know we (probably) have that kind of stability). We move out of the realms of meteorology and geology and into the realms of astrophysics. When you talk about 100-kilometer asteroid impacts, you’re no longer talking about “an asteroid hitting the Earth.” You’re talking about “two celestial bodies colliding.” Things like organic life and atmospheres crumble (and burn and evaporate) before energies like this.
Which is a (very) roundabout way of saying that a 90-billion-megaton explosion isn’t really an explosion anymore. It’d blow the atmosphere off a pretty big portion of the planet, peel back the crust, and pave some or all of the Earth in magma. Larger explosions could put sizeable dents in the Earth, or blow off enough material to push it into a different orbit. Not that we care: we’ll all be dead. Again. Sorry. Planet-killing is a bad addiction to have.
Hey! Where’d my explosion go?
This transition from fluid dynamics to astrodynamics has an ultimate limit. You can only squeeze so much energy into a 1-meter-diameter sphere and have it come back out. For this, you have Albert Einstein and Karl Schwarzschild to thank.
Energy and mass are equivalent. Not only can one be converted into the other, but they also produce and react to gravity in the same way. Because of this, if you try to cram more than 3.029e43 Joules (7239 trillion trillion megatons) of energy into a sphere 1 meter across, you won’t get an explosion at all. Your energy, no matter what form it’s in, will vanish behind an event horizon. This is bad news for the Earth. Partly because this energy will weigh 56 times as much as the Earth (over a fifth the mass of Jupiter), and will therefore screw up its orbit and either freeze us or boil us. Of course, the slow and painful destruction of the entire human race, all of our infrastructure and achievements, everything you and I and everybody else cares about, and also all life on earth, is the least of our problems. Because now we’ve got a 1-meter black hole sitting in the middle of a public park somewhere (I moved it away from downtown, to be nice. Sorry.) The Earth will swirl into the hole like a sinkful of water down a drain. That’s not just me failing to be poetic, that’s about how it’ll be. The whole Earth wont’ fall into the hole in an instant, nor will it be instantly spaghettified. Remember that, until you get close to it, a black hole behaves like any other object of the same mass. So the bulk of the Earth will fall towards the hole (thereby putting the hole at the middle of the planet) and everything else will collapse around it. We will, briefly, have a planet cracked and hollowed like a broken Kinder egg. Then we will have a ball of incandescent gas around a tiny black hole. Then we will have an accretion disk whose molecules do not resemble the farmers, sailors, priests, road signs, eggs benedict, and fire ants they were once part of. This is the point at which the explosion stops being an explosion. This is the limit.
Hey, this thing goes to 10.999.
That’s no fun. Well, I tell a lie–black holes are great fun to play with. (From a large distance.) But we want explosions, not black holes! We can talk about black holes some other time (hint hint). What if we put a little less than 3.029e43 Joules into our magic sphere? If that happens, boy oh boy do we get some fireworks!
The first thing that’ll happen is that the spacetime around the sphere will go from the gentle curvature (gravity) produced by the Earth, Sun, and other celestial bodies to a violent light-bending time-warping curvature. This does not end well for us. (why would you think it would? You’re silly.) A single powerful pulse of gravity waves races out at the speed of light, turning the Earth to gravel in a few milliseconds. Right on its heels comes a wave of radiation with almost the power of a supernova (almost, as in, 0.3 times as energetic as a supernova. Serious shit.) The Earth does not have time to fall into the region of ridiculous energy density and turn it into a black hole. That’s because the Earth is busy turning into a pancake of purple-white plasma and racing outwards at high speed. If the pancake hits anything, the flash will destroy the solar system. (Which sounds like it should be a line from Spaceballs). If it doesn’t hit anything, the supernova will destroy the solar system.
The moral of today’s story is: Don’t trust a man who says he has a magic sphere. He might kill everything.
The other moral of today’s story is: If you study a little physics, you can take any thought experiment to its absolute logical limit. Which, as I’m discovering, is pretty damn fun.
Exploding rabbits.
July 14, 2014 hobosullivanbomb, energy, experiment, explosion, explosions, rabbit, thought, TNT, vapor, vaporize, vaporized 1 Comment
(Courtesy of Wikipedia.)
I have a thing against rabbits. I don’t like them. They fill me with contempt. There’s absolutely no reason for this. It’s an utterly irrational hatred. Because of this particular neurosis, during a conversation with a friend, I happened to say something about vaporizing a rabbit. That sent my loony swamp-bog brain spinning off on another of its tangents, and I started to wonder What would happen if you vaporized a rabbit?
For the sake of this thought experiment, I’m going to start off assuming that a rabbit weighs 1 kilogram. That’s within the mass range listed by Wikipedia, but Wikipedia can’t always be trusted. But by virtue of the fact that they exist, we know that rabbits weigh more than 0 kilograms, and by virtue of the fact that we don’t inhale rabbits and get horrible nibbling-rabbit pneumonia, we know that they probably weigh more than 0.000 000 000 000 001 kilograms (1 picogram, which is about the mass of a bacterium). And from this oft-referenced report from the BBC, of Ralph the Unthinkably Large Bunny (who I must admit is kinda cute), we know that rabbits can reach 7.7 kilograms. So 1 kilogram is not unreasonable.
Now that we’ve got that bit of pedantic obsessiveness out of the way, we can proceed.
Most organisms contain quite a lot of water. The density of a human being is similar to the density of water. (If you can float in a pond or a swimming pool, your density is less than that of water, meaning less than 1,000 kilograms per cubic meter. If you have to tread water, your density is higher than 1,000. For the record, I float.) So, for the sake of simplicity, let’s pretend that our 1-kilogram bunny is made entirely of water, like a really disappointing version of those chocolate Easter bunnies. Let’s also assume that it starts out at typical rabbit body temperatures: 100 Fahrenheit, 38 Centigrade, or 311 Kelvin. In order to vaporize this all-water rabbit, we have to add enough heat-energy to it to raise its temperature to the boiling point, which is 212 Fahrenheit, 100 Centigrade, or 373 Kelvin (Have you noticed that we have way too many fucking temperature units? It’s a pain.) That’s a difference of 62 Kelvin. To find out how much energy we need to boil this rabbit (and make some extremely watery rabbit stew), we need water’s specific heat capacity, which happens to be about 4.18 Joules per gram Kelvin.
Specific heat capacity is one of those nice units that just makes sense. Newton’s gravitational constant is measured in units of (Newtons * square meters) / (square kilograms). What the fuck is a square kilogram? Well, the constant is one of those universal constants that tells you, in a vague way, just how weak a force gravity is. Specific heat capacity, though, makes intuitive sense. Water has a specific heat capacity of 4.18 Joules per gram Kelvin (Not to be confused with Jules per Graham Kevin, who is the president of the Earth in the alternate reality where Canada became a totalitarian superpower). That means that, to increase the temperature of one gram of water by one Kelvin, you have to add 4.18 Joules of heat energy to it. The units tell you exactly what they mean, which is nifty.
Anyway, in order to heat our rabbit-shaped mass of water to boiling temperature, we need to add 259,200 Joules of heat energy. But notice that I said “to heat our rabbit-shaped mass to boiling temperature.” That’s not the same as actually making it boil. For that, we need to add extra energy. This extra energy won’t increase the temperature at all, but it will get the water over the hump and vaporize it. This extra energy is quantified by another constant: the specific heat (or enthalpy) of vaporization. For water, this is 2,260,000 Joules per kilogram. That means we need 2,260,000 more Joules to turn our rabbit-shaped water balloon into a rabbit-shaped cloud of steam. So, all told, we’re concentrating 2,500,000 Joules into a volume on the order of 1,000 cubic centimeters. 2,500,000 Joules is about the energy released in the explosion of half a kilogram of TNT, which seems to me (citation needed) like a decent fraction of a stick of dynamite.
Unfortunately, energy alone isn’t going to get us the explosion we’re looking for. Just because we have the equivalent of a stick of dynamite doesn’t mean we’re going to have the same explosion as a stick of dynamite. That energy is all bound up in the rabbit-shaped cloud of steam.
What will get us the explosion we’re looking for, however, is the fact that we’ve got a cloud of hot gas compressed to the density of water and eager to expand. From the ideal gas law (and assuming a rabbit volume of 1,000 cubic centimeters), the cloud will begin at a pressure of 1,699 atmospheres (172.19 megapascals). That’s about half the pressure generated by the burning gunpowder in a .357 magnum cartridge. Maybe not enough to kill you, but certainly enough to make your ears ring. And enough to make you stand in the meadow blinking while a fine mist of rain falls around a little crater in the grass, asking yourself what the hell just happened.
But you know what? Rabbits aren’t just made of water. They’re made of all sorts of weird shit like water, tubulin, hemoglobin, cadherin, vitamin D, collagen, phospholipids, and more rabbit-semen than anybody wants to think about. And from cooking (and from that one scene in The Lord of the Rings) we know that heating a rabbit up to boiling won’t destroy all of its chemical bonds.
I want to make sure this rabbit is gone. I mean gone. Vaporized. I want to rip its fucking molecules apart, so that there’s no trace of fucking rabbit left. I should probably talk to my therapist about this. But for now, I’ll finish what I started.
As it turns out, I can still reasonably assume that the whole 1-kilogram rabbit is made of water, because the hydrogen-oxygen bonds in water are some of the strongest you’ll find in ordinary materials (carbon-hydrogen bonds are stronger, but not by much; nitrogen-nitrogen bonds are much stronger, but there’s not a lot of gaseous nitrogen floating around in a rabbit’s tissues, so we don’t need to worry about it). We’re looking at 55.56 moles of rabbit (NOT 55.56 moles of rabbits; disgusting shit happens when you try to assemble a mole of small mammals). The bond-dissociation energy for the hydrogen-oxygen bond in water is a shade under 500,000 Joules per mole, and there are two such bonds in every water molecule, so the total energy will be about 1,000,000 joules per mole. That means that completely vaporizing a rabbit will require something like 55,500,000 Joules, which is (roughly) equivalent to the detonation of 10 kilograms of TNT. 10 kilograms of TNT works out to just over 6 liters, so imagine two three-liter soda bottles (or six big liter-size beer steins, or a 1-gallon jug and a half-gallon jug) filled to the brim with TNT. That’s more explosives than you find in some artillery shells. You know what that means?
KAAAAA-BOOOOOOOOOM!
A piece of a neutron star.
June 8, 2014 hobosullivandisaster, explosion, extinction, literal, mass, neutron, neutronium, nuclear, ohgod, star 4 Comments
In the previous article, I talked about neutron stars, and like pretty much everybody else who’s ever tried to describe a neutron star’s absurd density, I explained that a piece of a neutron star the size of a 500-micron grain of sand would weigh as much as a small cargo ship.
That’s the kind of scientific example I like: it uses to comprehensible objects to illustrate something that would otherwise be pretty much impossible to visualize. I know the mass of a cargo ship isn’t exactly intuitive, but it’s more intuitive than saying 2e17 kilograms per cubic meter.
But one thing such examples gloss over is just how hard it is to pack this much mass so close together. In order to reach the pressures and temperatures necessary for fusion, we need the mass of the entire Sun, and that still only compresses the Sun’s core to 1.5e5 kilograms per cubic meter. It takes a truly massive star that has no way to maintain its internal temperature to compress matter the rest of the way and keep it there.
Neutron stars are supported almost entirely by neutron-degeneracy pressure, which, to seriously oversimplify matters, is a product of the fact that neutrons don’t like to occupy the same quantum state, and therefore don’t like to be brought too close together. It produces a lot of pressure. Enough to support 1.38 solar masses or more against a surface gravity of 100 billion gees. It also means that if we got really literal and took an actual piece out of a neutron star, it would not end well.
Let’s say we teleported a cube of neutron fluid, at a density of 2e17 kilograms per cubic meter and 3,000,000 Kelvin, into the air a meter over an empty field on Earth. The pressure exerted by all those neutrons packed too close together is complicated to calculate, but would probably be in the neighborhood of 5e33 pascals, or about 5e18 atmospheres. That’s a million trillion times higher than the pressure during the detonation of a hydrogen bomb.
That’s a lot of energy in one place, but as we’ve learned while trying to kill humanity with a BB gun and contemplating killer asteroids, even when you deposit a ridiculous amount of energy into a small volume, if there’s enough matter around it, eventually, it’ll be converted into a more ordinary form. This is another way of saying that, up to a certain limit, all explosions are going to behave a lot like scaled-up nuclear explosions.
But a whole lot of interesting shit is going to happen very rapidly before we get to that point. First, our grain of neutronium (which, admit it, sounds way cooler than “neutron superfluid,” cool as that one is) will expand rapidly. This will cause its pressure to decrease, and so it’ll be a lot like ascending through the layers of a neutron star, moving from outer core to crust. When the pressure drops low enough, many of the neutrons will decay into protons, emitting electrons and neutrinos. Neutrinos are infamous for carrying off energy, and also for refusing to interact with things. They might heat the ground below them by a few fractions of a degree, but considering that they pass right through the Earth without difficulty, they’re probably not important, except in the fact that they’ll cool the nuclear matter down.
Now, our grain of neutronium is a slightly larger grain of protons and neutrons all mashed together. Without the surrounding pressure to force them unnaturally close, the protons will naturally repel each other. They’ll still be attracted to each other and to the neutrons via the strong force, but once again, without the ridiculous pressures provided by the bulk of a neutron star, their clustering will be limited by the short range of the strong force. That is to say, they’ll stop being a soup of nucleons and go back to being atomic nuclei.
These nuclei will start out quite heavy, but the falling pressure will cause them to rapidly fission and give off a lot of radiation. There’ll be a lot of gamma rays, a lot of stray protons and neutrons, a lot of alpha particles, and probably a lot of beta decays producing protons and electrons from neutrons. It’d take a particle physicist to tell you exactly what elements to expect in the fallout, but I’d wager it’d mostly be lead, iron, hydrogen, and helium, with a smattering of lighter and heavier elements.
By now, we’re dealing with energies too low for massive neutrino emission, so the only way this expanding sphere of plasma can lose energy is by emitting traditional electromagnetic radiation and by expanding. It is now, for all intents and purposes, an extremely hot and extremely small version of a nuclear fireball.
How big would the fireball ultimately get? That depends on a lot of things: first, on how much energy was initially contained in our deadly granule. Second, on how much of that energy got carried off by the snobbish non-interacting neutrinos. It’s hard to be certain how much potential energy would have been in the grain to start with, but I’ve read that the neutron degeneracy pressure of neutronium is one third of its mass density. E = m * c^2, so mass density is just energy density. One third of the energy density of our grain of neutronium comes out to about 7.5e23 joules, which is of the same order of magnitude as the Chicxulub impact. So, even though we’re dealing with a very exotic explosion, we know that it’s not the kind of explosion that’s going to blow off the entire atmosphere or boil all the oceans. And actually, since so much energy is likely to be lost to neutrinos (neutrinos carry off 99% of the energy in supernovae, which considering that they still shine as bright as 10 billion suns, is horrifying to contemplate), it could be an almost-ordinary thermonuclear explosion. But, because I don’t know exactly how much energy we’re losing to neutrinos here, I’m going to assume the whole 7.5e23 joules is going to get deposited in the atmosphere.
Using this number, we can estimate the relevant parameters by using the excellent Impact Effects program, written by some very nifty folks. This program is, as far as I’m concerned, justification enough for the existence of the Internet all by itself. By assuming a stony asteroid 12 kilometers across, impacting perpendicular to the ground at 22 kilometers per second, we get an impact energy in the right ballpark.
The fireball would grow to massive proportions. As we learned from nuclear tests, hot plasma is pretty much completely opaque to radiation, since it’s got electrons flying around loose, and since photons like to bounce off of electrons. An initial burst of gamma rays would escape, but much of the radiation from our exploding grain of neutronium would be trapped in the plasma bubble, bouncing around while the bubble expanded at high speed. This bubble would reach a radius of 95 kilometers, reaching vertically to near the edge of space and pushing a massive shockwave out in front of it. Anything that happened to be caught within the fireball wouldn’t be destroyed. It wouldn’t even be vaporized. It would be flash-ionized into hot plasma. But, once the bubble had expanded to 95 kilometers in radius, it would finally have cooled enough to de-ionize and become transparent to ordinary radiation again.
This is very briefly good news for the people in the surrounding area, since it means they’re not going to get smacked in the face with a wall of plasma at 5000 degrees. Then, it becomes very bad news, since there’s a lot of thermal energy in that fireball that can now suddenly escape. The fireball would be visible from 1,100 kilometers away, and possibly farther, if you’re unlucky enough to be in an airliner or on a mountain. And if this fireball is visible to you, that pretty much means you’re dead. We’re looking at flash-fires and third-degree burns for five hundred miles in every direction.
About an hour later, the people at 1,200 kilometers, for whom the fireball was below the horizon, would stop being lucky: the blast wave would arrive, bringing overpressures of almost 2 atmospheres (enough to blow down just about any building) and wind speeds of 610 miles an hour (enough to blow down just about any building).
But the disaster would only just be beginning. Here, the peculiar origin of the explosion would make itself apparent: there would likely be a lot of radioactive fallout, and it would be made of peculiar isotopes generated in a flash when those protons and neutrons were separating into nuclei again. Not only that, with all the ionizing radiation, there would be even more nitric oxide in the plume than usual. Imagine if you will a pancake-shaped incandescent cloud hundreds of kilometers across–the size of a country. This cloud glows from within a larger, dark-red cloud of nitric oxide, ozone, iron, lead, and radioactive dust. Over the course of hours, the upper half of the cloud collapses downward as it cools, while the other half rises buoyantly upward. Within days, there’s a sheet of opaque vapor thousands of kilometers across, trapped in the stratosphere, blowing with the winds, fed from below by a firestorm of a kind not seen for 65 million years. Smoke and dust circle the planet within weeks. Temperatures drop far below freezing. People and animals are poisoned by toxic gases. With the sunlight blotted out, plants die. People starve. There’s a mass extinction. Only the hardiest species survive. After the dust settles out and the climate rebounds, new creatures populate the Earth. The only reminder of the catastrophe is a thin layer of exotic elements, and a crater 160 kilometers across and 2 kilometers deep. Perhaps if Earth ever spawns another species that spawns paleontologists, they will think the crater came from an asteroid impact. But it didn’t. It was created by an object the size of a grain of sand.
So take this as a grim warning: Under no circumstances should you take a useful scientific analogy so literally that you actually remove a piece of an exotic compact star and transport it to a planet. And they say you can’t learn anything from psychotic bloggers!
Decibels of DEATH!
May 1, 2014 hobosullivanbarrett, deadly, decibel, decibels, explosion, logarithm, logarithmic, loud, m82, magnitude, nuclear, of, orders, pressure, rifle, scale, sound, supernova, trauma 1 Comment
When I see the word “decibel,” I think two things. First, I think “Noise.” Then, I think “Oh god, decibels confuse the hell out of me…”
Well, I think I finally understand the decibel. It’s kind of a weird unit, but it’s also nifty, and it showcases one of the coolest things in mathematics: the logarithm.
Here’s how you compute the decibel-level of a sound. First, you figure out the acoustic power of that sound, probably using a microphone (or using a sound engineer who has a microphone and understands better than I do the difference between “acoustic power” and “sound amplitude.”) The acoustic power tells you the maximum pressure the sound wave exerts on things (say, your eardrums). Most of the time, you measure that sound pressure in pascals. Take that sound pressure and divide it by 20 micro-pascals. 20 micro-pascals is a semi-arbitrary reference point. It’s about the sound pressure where a 1000-Hertz sine wave first becomes audible to a human ear. It’s not a lot of pressure. The pressure 10 meters underwater is about twice what it is at sea level, which means the overpressure is about 1 atmosphere (1000 hectopascals. I’d like to note that Hectopascal would be a good name for a movie villain.) Well, the depth of water it would take to get an overpressure of 20 micropascals is 2 nanometers, which is about the diameter of a strand of DNA. Did you know human ears were that sensitive? I didn’t.
Anyway, you can use decibels to express a wide range of noise levels without using too many digits (Because, let’s face it, we all start zoning out after you get beyond about six digits, give or take.) To get the decibel number, you divide your sound pressure by 20 micropascals, take the base-10 logarithm of that, and multiply the result by 20. For example: a sound pressure of 20 micropascals gives you 20 * log10(20/20) = 20 * log10(1) = 20 * 0 = 0 dB.
With a title like Decibels of Death, you knew this article was going to be all about extremes. The quietest officially-measured place in the world is the anechoic chamber at Orfield Laboratories. It’s a room encased in a foot-thick concrete vault. The room itself sits on I-beams which are on springs to isolate external vibration. The inside of the room is full of wedge-shaped foam blocks which prevent echoes and dampen the sound from outside even further. The Guinness Book of World Records measured the sound level in the Orfield anechoic chamber at -9.4 decibels. That works out to a sound pressure level of 6.8 micropascals. To produce an overpressure that small, you’d only need a layer of water 0.612 nanometers thick. At that point, it’s less a puddle and more a molecular stack. That’s pretty damn quiet.
It’s actually intolerably quiet, apparently. The longest anybody’s ever spent in the chamber is 45 minutes, according to that Daily Mail article I linked above. I’ve heard stories about people who freaked out in the chamber because, all of a sudden, they can hear their heartbeats. And some people have auditory hallucinations when deprived of sound long enough, which probably makes the Orfield chamber even scarier.
So -9.4 dB is quiet enough to make you crazy. 0 dB is the threshold of hearing. 10 dB is about the quietest environment you or I will ever experience, and that’s only if we don’t breathe too loud. 25 dB is a very quiet room. According to a funky app I’ve got on my smartphone, the noise level at this desk is 51 dB. The EPA (the US environmental agency) recommends your everyday environment not exceed 70 dB. 85 dB can cause hearing damage over the long-term. 130 dB is painful. 150 dB can rupture your eardrums. This is what I was talking about earlier: logarithmic scales allow you to convert numbers orders of magnitude apart into nice numbers with low digit counts, which makes it easier to compare them side-by-side. When we started out, back at -9.4 decibels, the pressures were so low they were almost impossible to measure. Now, they’re so high they’re doing organ damage.
And speaking of organ damage… The strength of a blast wave is measured by its overpressure, just like the strength of a sound wave. In this fascinating and unnerving paper, some doctors report the effects of 62,000-pascal blast waves on rats. They speak of “minimal to mild alveolar hemorrhages,” as though there were such a thing as a mild case of bleeding fucking lungs. The upshot of all this is that, although 150 dB may burst your eardrums, 189.9 decibels (which is the decibel equivalent of 62,000 pascals overpressure) can actually damage your guts.
But if you’re catching a 190-decibel blast, you’ve got more serious things to worry about than bleeding lungs. Yes, really. There are a lot of reports of soldiers who have been hit by blasts from roadside bombs and car bombs and other such nasty things. Some of these soldiers, although they didn’t hit their heads on anything and nothing hit them in the head, developed serious cognitive problems: difficulty concentrating and short-term memory loss, enough to pretty much spoil their day-to-day lives. In another experiment, rats exposed to a blast overpressure of 20 kilopascals (180 decibels) experienced similar symptoms, and when they were dissected, had lots of dying brain cells. Which is all really pretty damn sad.
As it turns out, there’s actually technically a maximum sound pressure, at least if you want an undistorted sound wave. A pure tone has the shape of a sine wave: the pressure rises a certain amount above atmospheric, drops in a graceful sinusoidal curve, falls that same amount below atmospheric pressure, returns to atmospheric pressure, rinse and repeat. The thing about these kinds of sine waves is that, after their maximum overpressure, they have to drop that far below atmospheric pressure. And if the sound pressure of your sine wave happens to be greater than atmospheric pressure, that can’t happen: pressure is a number that doesn’t go any lower than zero, which is a vacuum. So a sine wave with a sound pressure larger than 1013 hectopascals (1 atmosphere) will sound all right when the pressure goes up, but will get cut off (“clipped,” the sound-engineer people call it) when it goes down. (And when I say “Will sound all right” I mean “Will rupture your aorta, destroy your lungs, tear your limbs off, and knock your house down,” as we learned from nuclear tests.) The maximum for unclipped sound, therefore, is 194.1 decibels.
But since we’re already blowing everything up, why worry about a little distortion? You know the Barrett M82? The big-ass .50-caliber sniper rifle? That one from that movie The Hurt Locker? The big scary one? Well, when that thing fires, its cartridge sees a blast wave of 265.5 decibels, which is just one more reason not to live in a rifle barrel.
You would experience 270 decibels if you were standing about 100 meters (350 feet) from a 1-megaton nuclear bomb when it went off. I use “experience” loosely here, since you wouldn’t have long to enjoy the racket before you were spread over an alarmingly large area.
Now, let’s say you were standing on the surface of a star just as it went supernova. Well, you’d be exposed to a blast pressure of something in the (very rough) neighborhood of 476 decibels, which I’m pretty sure the EPA would classify as “potentially hazardous.”
As it turns out, there’s a maximum pressure that is still physically meaningful, at least according to our current understanding of physics. It’s called the Planck Pressure, and it’s very large. It’s the kind of pressure you get inside black holes. It’s the kind of pressure the universe experienced (we think) right after the Big Bang. The Big Bang had a noise rating of 2,367.3 decibels. The explosion that set the current universe in motion had a pressure which can be quantified in five significant digits.
That’s what I mean about logarithmic scales being awesome. They turn unimaginable cosmic numbers into nice, manageable, comprehensible numbers. You’d better believe I’m going to be playing with logarithmic scales again soon. Which sounds way dirtier than I intended.
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Watch Online Cruel Peter
(370) IMDb 3.8 95 min 2019
Cruel Peter is a movie starring Angelica Alleruzzo, Antonio Alveario, and Aran Bevan. Peter has been cruel to children, animals and servants for a long time. One night he is ambushed and wakes up in a coffin, trapped after an...
Aran Bevan, Angelica Alleruzzo, Antonio Alveario, Alessio Bonaffini
Christian Bisceglia, Ascanio Malgarini
It is Christmas 1908 in Messina, one of the richest merchant cities of the Mediterranean. Peter, the 13 year-old son of a rich English family is notorious for his cruelty to children, animals and servants. One night he is ambushed and wakes up in a coffin underground in the city's Gothic cemetery, buried in retaliation for his callousness by a servant boy from his mother's estate. When a powerful earthquake razes Messina to the ground, Peter is trapped and his whereabouts are forgotten. Until a century later an English archaeologist and his daughter arrive in the city.
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21 customer reviews about «Cruel Peter»
Frank Y.
I have seen this film twice now and it is by far the best of the lot. The acting is top notch, the story is excellent and the movie is a very effective mix of horror, comedy, romance, and drama. It is not for everyone but if you are in the mood for something different and not afraid to see the dark side of life, then this is the movie for you. I am a big fan of the French cinema and this is my first review. I am not sure if this is the best film of the year but I would definitely recommend this film to anyone who has a taste for something different and the chance to see a really good film.
Sunday, 20 Dec 2020 15:40
This is a very effective horror film. I haven't seen a film that has really scared me since Halloween. This film has a very good plot and is very well acted. The camera work and the story are very good. This film has many surprises and is very well made. This film is a must see and I recommend it to anyone who wants to see a good horror film. The acting is good and the story is good. The camera work is excellent. The director did a good job with this film. This is a very good horror film and I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes horror films.
Thursday, 03 Dec 2020 21:47
This movie was extremely well done. The acting was great and the storyline was awesome. I liked the way that the character of Peter was created and how it was changed. It was a very good way to portray him. The scenes that were shot in this movie were awesome. The costumes were amazing. The story was amazing and the ending was perfect. The actors were great and the director did a great job. The movie was very entertaining and the director made the best out of what he had. I give this movie a 9/10. It was amazing and I recommend this movie to everyone.
Monday, 16 Nov 2020 08:53
It's a shame the film was not a hit, because this is a good one. I think it is a shame it was not a hit because I think it is one of the best horror films ever made. I don't think that there is any one who would disagree that it's the best horror film ever made. It is a film that you can watch over and over again and never get bored. It has great cinematography, great directing, great acting, and a great story. If you like horror films, you will love this movie.
Crystal W.
Tuesday, 10 Nov 2020 02:08
What a great movie! A fantastic film that can stand on it's own two feet. The cinematography is stunning and the acting is superb. The story is a bit simplistic but is interesting and I found myself wondering what would happen next. The whole film has a creepy, creepy atmosphere. The movie is an extremely well made film with a great story and the gore is shocking and really makes you feel for the characters. I highly recommend this film!
This is a great movie. The plot is simple. A young girl is kidnapped and her family is trying to get the ransom money. The problem is that the kidnappers have another girl in their possession. The young girl is going to be sold as a prostitute. This is a really good movie, and a must see. I give it a 10 out of 10.
Kimberly Medina
Wednesday, 28 Oct 2020 12:40
I'm a fan of horror and the special effects are quite good, the acting is decent and the story is good. But the thing is that the film was quite disappointing. I was expecting a more serious horror film with a more suspenseful atmosphere. But the story is quite poor and the ending is not very satisfying. So I really don't recommend this movie. I would say that it's a good watch for those who like a good horror movie. But the good thing is that it's not too much scary.
Thursday, 17 Sep 2020 23:10
I know some people will not like this, but I think it is important for people to know what's going on. For those who think this is a bad movie, please, do yourself a favor and don't see it. The acting was good. The special effects were very well done. There was some violence. If you enjoy a good horror movie, I would recommend this one.
Saturday, 12 Sep 2020 16:52
I must admit that I was not expecting this film to be as good as it was. I watched it and was not disappointed. It is a very good film, the acting is very good and the storyline is very good. The ending is also very good and I don't want to give anything away. It's a very good film and I recommend it to anyone who likes good movies. I rate this film 10/10.
Theresa Tucker
If you're looking for a film that is a direct rip-off of a much better film, this is it. The only thing I liked about this film was that the ending was better than the rest of the movie. I'm surprised they didn't make this into a series of films. I've never been a big fan of horror films, but I loved this one. It was a great horror film that made me feel the same way as the characters. I would recommend this film to anyone who loves a good horror film.
Wednesday, 12 Aug 2020 23:33
The last time I watched "Killer Peter", I did not realize that it was a sequel to "Stab" and had actually seen "Red Dragon" before this one. So when I saw the title, I did not know what to expect. But it was so good, that I was really glad I saw it. This movie is about an ex-cop who comes back to live with his parents after 30 years. He kills his brother, his girlfriend, his wife and her lover, and the man who killed his wife. However, he wants to live with his parents, so he sends his brother's body in the back of his car. He is captured by the police, but he does not want to be put away, so he escapes. The police find him, and he is put in a prison. The story is set in Australia, and the last thing the police want to know is whether or not he has committed the murders. There is also a thing in the story that a woman had a relationship with the killer, and he kills her in order to save himself from being sent to prison. As a matter of fact, this movie is really a sequel to "Killer Peter". The best thing about the film is that the killer is very believable. He has to be the killer for a reason, and that reason is that he wants to kill his brother. I do not want to give too much away, so I will not tell what it is. He has a mysterious connection with the police, and he is in love with a young girl. So the real killer is very real. The movie is very funny, and I think that it will be a big hit. The scenes are really dark, and it is very funny. The murders are also very funny. I do not want to give too much away, but the acting is very good. The ending is also very good. Overall, "Killer Peter" is a very good film, and I recommend it to fans of police movies. My vote is eight. Title (Brazil): "Killer Peter: Inocente" ("Killer Peter: Inocent")
Frank Watkins
Friday, 31 Jul 2020 00:35
I like the storyline of this movie. The ending is quite a twist. And I can't believe it's not a remake of "The Exorcist" (also the ending is quite a twist). The acting was quite good for the most part. I especially liked Mr. Ackroyd, who played a cop who comes out of retirement. In my opinion he was one of the best parts of the movie. The only problem I had was that the movie was not as scary as I was expecting. I was expecting a full-on exorcism type of movie and was disappointed. If you want to see this movie, I suggest you see it on DVD. I'm glad that this movie is available on DVD, because it is a very good movie and I'm glad it's available.
Terry O.
Sunday, 26 Jul 2020 20:10
I really like this film and I think it's a good one, and it's not the one I expected. I didn't expect it to be any good at all but I found it to be pretty decent. It's very stylistic, it's a kind of indie film and it has a good cast, especially Jessica Biel and Keanu Reeves, who are both good and I really enjoyed their characters. The music is really good, it's not the same music that you'd hear in some other film but it's really good. The direction is really good and the story is really good, but I think it's too short, it's a little bit too short for the subject matter. It's about a family that is being murdered in the woods, they take some pictures and then the mother leaves to go to her daughter's wedding and she sees the family. The father goes after her but he finds a lot of things that's weird and it's hard to understand, but it's a good movie, definitely worth a watch.
Wednesday, 15 Jul 2020 23:30
I'm a fan of the genre of horror films that are based on short stories. This is one of them. I liked it more than I did The Blair Witch Project, but that is not saying much. The story here is a bit different. It takes place in an abandoned military base, where a group of soldiers are trying to figure out what has happened. The base is now a ghost town, and the soldiers try to find the reason behind it. The film has some moments where it has a good atmosphere and the acting is good. The special effects are not as good as in Blair Witch, but still, it's not a bad film. If you like these kind of films, you should like this one as well.
This is an example of an excellent British film that has an uninteresting plot and is great fun to watch. The performances are great and the acting in general is of a very high standard. I had the chance to see this film at the Hammer Horror Film Festival in Leeds, and it was a treat to see it. I am not a fan of British horror and in general so this film was a breath of fresh air. The script is of a high standard, with a great script, plot and acting. The plot is a very interesting one, and the way it's told is really engaging. The story is great, the cast are great and the film is of a high standard. The special effects are great, and the acting is of a very high standard. Overall, a great film that is worth seeing.
When you think about movies like Ringu and Bloody Valentine, you realize that these are movies made with much more flair than just your average slasher flick. This movie has a wonderful story, great acting, and a good production design. In fact, it's a shame that this movie is never released to DVD, because it's truly a gem. I don't know if it was the distributor or distributor's decision, but this movie has a very mysterious quality about it. I think it's because the director didn't want to capitalize on the slasher genre. It's not that the story is bad or anything, but it was done with a purpose. It doesn't look like a slasher movie, it looks like a serious horror movie. I think that the director was a bit confused with the style of the movie. It's kind of like the director was trying to make a modern remake of The Haunting. It's not the best movie in the world, but it's certainly better than some of the bad slasher flicks out there. I think that Ringu is a great example of what happens when a movie is made by a film student. The actors are great, the script is great, and the production design is great. I give this movie an 8/10. It's really good, and I think you should check it out.
Frances C.
This was a good movie, just not that great. Sure, the special effects were fantastic, the acting was superb, and the plot was just plain awesome. But what was the point? In the last scene, after all the people have been killed off, the villain says, "This is a rebellion. And you want to be a rebel, you should rebel!" It makes me sick that this movie could have been so great. The movie should have ended with the death of the evil Colonel, and the destruction of the whole town. Then the credits should have come out. It should have been a good ending to a great movie. But no, instead it ended with the death of the hero, and the hero's family was killed. This movie was just so bad. In the end, this movie was just like the last scene in the last film. The bad guys win. There is no hope for the good guys. They're just gone. But, wait! That's not the end! A second movie is coming! Yes, the second movie, it's coming! And it's going to be a lot worse than this!
Shirley Johnston
This is a great entry into the Peter Biel series, it's definitely a step up from the first two and a lot more entertaining, it has some really cool gore effects, which makes the film really feel like a horror film rather than a comedy, it has some really nasty gore effects, and it's more of a story than a horror film, it is also a good entry into the genre, this film is definitely one to watch.
Eugene D.
I saw the original and was quite disappointed. The gore in this one is way better. The only reason this film is not higher on the list is the cheap special effects. It's a low budget film but it's still very entertaining. The special effects are really what make this film worth watching. I recommend this film to fans of the original and fans of cheap films. It's a very underrated film that deserves more credit. 8/10.
Frances J.
Fellowship in Prague is an excellent film, which has a plot, lots of gore, and some very creepy scenes. The fact that it has been so popular for so long makes it all the more interesting. The beginning is a little weak, but the characters are well developed, and it's a great premise for a movie. The ending is creepy and unexpected, and is one of the best ones in the genre. The acting is fantastic, and I have to say that the music is fantastic. The film is a classic, and deserves to be on everyone's list of favorite films. I can see why the film has been so popular, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good horror movie. I give it an 8 out of 10.
Willie Marshall
I've been wanting to watch this movie for ages. Finally I did. I can't say much about it but I can say it was the first horror movie I've seen in a long time. I know I've seen some but not many. The director used a lot of tricks and I thought it was really good. It's not your average slasher movie, it's a bit more.realistic. It has a lot of atmosphere and I think it's very underrated. The story is very well written and it's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. The characters are well developed. There is not really a beginning or end. It is a story of loneliness and isolation and of being alone in the world. I recommend it.
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La-Z-Boy adds 125 jobs at Siloam Springs plant
ManufacturingNorthwest Arkansas
by Jeff Della Rosa ([email protected]) July 22, 2020 12:59 pm 1,455 views
Monroe, Mich.-based furniture manufacturer La-Z-Boy Inc. recently expanded its second shift at its Siloam Springs plant and added 125 jobs.
The company previously announced it closed a manufacturing plant in Newton, Miss., and its production would be shifted to three company plants, including one in Siloam Springs.
On Wednesday (July 22), Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Mike Preston, secretary of commerce and executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, (AEDC) toured the Siloam Springs plant.
“La-Z-Boy has gained the community’s confidence through its decades-long commitment to Siloam Springs, and I am pleased by its continued investment in the local workforce,” Hutchinson said. “La-Z-Boy’s decision to expand in Benton County is good news for the region and for the state.”
In March, when the plant was shut down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it had about 420 employees. By late June, more than 300 employees had returned to the plant. With the expansion, the plant will have 545 employees.
“Since we restarted production and retailers have reopened, including the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores, we are experiencing strong demand,” said Daren Davison, midwest general manager for La-Z-Boy. “Adding to our workforce in Siloam Springs will allow us [to] service this demand while leveraging the efficiencies we have created, improve delivery times to our customers and provide them with the service they have come to expect from us.”
The Siloam Springs plant was established 43 years ago, and the La-Z-Boy Foundation has given more than $1.26 million to Siloam Springs and area communities, according to a news release.
“La-Z-Boy’s decision to add a second shift is great news as we work to increase economic momentum within the state,” Preston said. “Businesses continue to take note of our dedicated workforce and pro-business environment. La-Z-Boy has been a strong community partner for decades, and we are looking forward to continuing that relationship as it embarks on this new endeavor.”
The company is accepting applications for employees. Link here for more information.
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Stacks at the Nucor Steel plant – one of the types of manufacturing sites that would be affected by a carbon tax – in front of the Space Needle in Seattle. AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
Why aren’t environmentalists supporting a carbon tax in Washington state?
October 30, 2016 10.09pm EDT
Lucas Davis, University of California, Berkeley
Lucas Davis
Associate Professor, University of California, Berkeley
Lucas Davis does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
University of California provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation US.
I used to live in Washington state. I’m no longer registered to vote there, but if I were, I would vote “Yes” on Nov. 8 for the Washington Carbon Emission Tax and Sales Tax Reduction, also known as Initiative 732, or I-732.
I-732 would make Washington the first U.S. state to have a carbon tax. The tax would be levied on refineries and utilities, who would then pass the tax on to consumers in the form of higher gasoline, electricity and natural gas prices. The tax would start at US$15 per ton of carbon dioxide in July 2017, increase to $25 after one year, then rise with inflation plus 3.5 percent in each subsequent year.
Similar to British Columbia’s carbon tax, I-732 is designed to be revenue-neutral. That is, all of the tax revenue would be returned to households by lowering other taxes. Specifically, I-732 would decrease Washington’s sales tax by one percentage point, fund a tax credit of up to $1,500 annually for low-income households, and effectively eliminate a business tax on manufacturers.
I-732 addresses one of the major concerns of a carbon tax – that it would hurt low-income households. But it also exposes the difficult and complex politics of environmental policymaking: a number of environmental groups have failed to get behind the measure, potentially derailing an opportunity for Washington to lead on climate.
Economist’s dream
Like most economists, I’m in favor of a carbon tax. In a survey of top economists, 90 percent said they would prefer a carbon tax over alternative policies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. “Totally basic economics!” according to Stanford economist Robert Hall. A carbon tax would discourage carbon-intensive activities like producing electricity with fossil fuels and burning gasoline in vehicles, and encourage low-carbon alternatives like renewables and energy efficiency.
Carbon tax revenue from Initiative 732, which needed some 270,000 signatures to get on the ballot in November, would be offset by tax cuts in other areas and be used to finance tax credits for low-income households. Steve Bloom/The Olympian via AP
I also like the plan to make I-732 revenue-neutral. This idea of “revenue recycling” has long been recognized by environmental economists as one of the key benefits from taxing externalities, or side effects of economic activities. Decreasing the sales tax would make Washington state consumers better off and make the Washington state economy more efficient.
Moreover, the low-income tax credits would help prevent I-732 from hurting Washington state’s neediest households. Critics of carbon taxes often argue that they are regressive, pointing to the fact that lower-income Americans spend a high fraction of their income on energy. With these tax credits, however, I-732 would be sharply progressive, making low-income households significantly better off.
This is an important point, not just for I-732, but for carbon policy more generally. In a recent paper, Maryland economist Rob Williams and coauthors examined a national carbon tax for which revenue would be returned in equal, lump-sum payments to all households. They showed that these lump-sum payments would exceed average expenditure on the tax for households earning less than $70,000 per year, so these households would be net winners. I-732 is potentially even more progressive because the tax credits would be targeted to low-income households.
Unlikely opponents
Environmental groups enthusiastically support I-732, right? Er… no. In fact, neither the Sierra Club, nor the Washington Environmental Council, nor Washington Conservation Voters support the measure. It is baffling to me that an environmental group could stand in the way of a carbon tax. Putting a price on carbon dioxide is the single most efficient way to fight climate change, and it strikes me as irresponsible for these groups to have failed to get behind I-732.
Washington state is well-known for strong environmental groups, yet most of these groups are failing to support I-732. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, CC BY
The primary concern seems to be that I-732 doesn’t raise revenue for pro-environmental causes. Washington state has no state income tax and struggles to raise government revenue, so some groups see this as the last good opportunity to raise funds for renewables subsidies, public transportation and the like. For instance, in its official position, the Sierra Club said members “expressed deep concerns that the initiative does not include all that is needed for an equitable climate policy and just transition to a clean energy economy.”
This is conflating two issues, however. I understand why a group would want to see more pro-environmental spending, but there is no economic reason why all this needs to happen in the same piece of legislation.
Critics of I-732 should also be careful what they wish for. Opponents from environmental advocacy groups are intensely concerned about potential impacts on low-income and other vulnerable populations. But in research here at the University of California Berkeley we’ve shown that pro-environmental spending tends to be regressive, benefiting high-income households disproportionately. If your goal is to help low-income households, it is hard to envision a better policy than a $1,500 tax credit.
It is notable that so much of the discussion about I-732 has been about the revenue rather than about the tax itself. This fascinating article details the myriad different points of view in Washington state on how to spend the money. We are seeing this dynamic in California as well, as environmental justice groups argue that more of the revenues from California’s carbon trading system should be used for addressing equity. These fights about revenue are likely to be a central part of carbon politics moving forward.
I-732 is an opportunity for my former home state, Washington, to lead on climate. By demonstrating that this can be done at scale, Washington state can lead other states, or even the U.S. federal government, to adopt similar policies. It would be fitting that a state so rich in natural beauty would take a stand for preserving the planet for future generations.
Environmental groups are opposing the carbon tax because some feel it doesn’t do enough to promote renewable energy and environmental justice. amitp/flickr, CC BY
It won’t be easy. This is a local solution to a global problem. The costs would be borne locally, while most of the benefits – mitigating climate change – would be experienced globally. But if Washington state can spur others to action, they will have played a key step in moving climate policy forward.
“For me, supporting I-732 is the way I can look my children in the eye,” said Audubon Washington’s Gail Gatton, in a recent Seattle Times op-ed, “and tell them I have done everything possible to ensure a stable climate for their future.” Your move, Washington state.
Ballot initiative
US energy policy
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The First English Edition of this Book Visualises Life Under Nazi Occupation
<a href = "https://www.jck.nl"> Charlotte Salomon ® Collection Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam © Charlotte Salomon Foundation, www.jck.nl
Sylvia Edwards Davis
Writer11 August 2017
Tragically, Charlotte Salomon—like far too many others—didn’t survive Auschwitz after being deported from France and sent there during World War II. However, her powerful art did, and the late German-Jewish artist transcends time thanks to her uncompromising testament of a twisted family curse, Nazi occupation in France, and choosing murder over suicide.
Goodbye Berlin
Charlotte Salomon was born in Berlin in 1917, the only child of bourgeois parents. Her mother died when she was little, and her father, a surgeon, subsequently married an opera singer and socialite. Salomon was attending Art Academy (not many Jews were admitted) but as the persecution closed in around her family, they moved to the French Riviera. After the declaration of war, they were rounded up and sent to a camp in Pyrenées, and later allowed to return to the Riviera, owing to her grandfather’s age and health. It is here that Salomon feverishly put together her opus, Life? or Theatre?.
Charlotte Salomon ® Collection Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam | © copyright Charlotte Salomon Foundation, www.jck.nl
A diary of strangeness
Since her world crumbled around her, Salomon clung to art as a life raft. When her grandmother took her own life, Salomon finally learned about the family’s curse: she came from a long line of suicides, including that of her own mother. Salomon painted and wrote to ‘create a story so as not to lose my mind’. The work is hard to label since she took to selecting 781 of her gouaches and hundreds of drawings, combined with overlaid text and musical notes in a sort of graphic script/novel that is part biographical and part lyrical. She completed Life? Or Theatre? in a single year with a sense of urgency perhaps arising from the precarious condition of Jews in Europe and a sense that her days were numbered.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Life? or Theatre? is no Diary of Anne Frank. Salomon’s images are not focused on an account of Nazi oppression or the persecution of the Jews. Furthermore, Salomon’s world is painted in a more complex, nuanced, and deeply disturbing approach than Frank’s. Her depiction characters of her childhood, her own development as an artist, and her grandfather as a brutal manipulative and abusive monster are mixed and masked under fictitious names but clearly recognizable.
The poisoner poisoned
Perhaps the most spine-chilling episode is her confession to poisoning her grandfather, who she drew while he lie expiring. Confronted with the choice of following her family’s long line of suicides, Salomon could have easily taken the poison herself. Instead, she chose a different path: she served him the poison and watched him die before writing a letter confessing to the deed. Salomon didn’t kill him to save him from deportation to the camps; she murdered him to finally be rid of her abuser.
An unfathomable legacy
Salomon entered a loveless marriage and was expecting a child in 1943 when she entrusted her life’s work to a friend, saying ‘Keep this safe. It is my whole life’. Shortly after this, she was apprehended by the Gestapo, transported to Auschwitz, and immediately sent to the gas chamber where she and her unborn baby died. Her husband suffered the same fate a few months later. After the war, Salomon’s work made its way to her father, who survived the war by hiding in Amsterdam with his wife. He didn’t know quite what to make of Salomon’s complex, entangled creation.
Salomon’s father and stepmother took the paintings back to Amsterdam and didn’t look at them for years. Salomon’s gesamtkunstwerk or ‘total work of art’ has since been the subject of exhibitions, featured on the Jewish Historical Museum site, and has inspired a novel and a ballet.
Duckworth will publish a new-cased hardback edition of Life? Or Theatre?, and it will be available in English for the first time in September 2017 to mark the centenary of the artist’s birth.
<a href = "https://www.jck.nl"> Charlotte Salomon ® Collection Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam | © Charlotte Salomon Foundation, www.jck.nl
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The Top 10 Things to Do in Rouen, France
The Notre-Dame Cathedral of Rouen dominating the city's skyline | © DXR / WikiCommons
Christine Wilson
One of Normandy’s capitals, Rouen is a vibrant city defined by beautiful architecture, creative minds and a storied past. Whether you’re visiting one of its famed monuments, retracing its fascinating history or getting lost in its colourful streets, it is a city that is sure to engage. Before you go, read our list of the top 10 things to see and do in Rouen, France.
Discover history and art at its museums
As a city that has been celebrated by artists and carries a deep history, there is no shortage of museums to visit in Rouen. Art lovers will enjoy a visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which holds the second-largest collection of Impressionist works in France. For something a bit more unique, head to the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles where wrought iron creations hang from the walls of a former church. The Musée de Rouen caters to fans of natural history and antiquities and the Musée de la Céramique will please admirers of fine pottery. No matter your taste, the city is able to offer something to your liking.
See beautiful wrought ironwork at the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles | © Touf / WikiCommons
Retrace the history of Joan of Arc
Rouen saw the tragic end of Saint Joan of Arc’s life, a legacy that continues to leave its mark in the city. Follow in her footsteps beginning with a visit to the Historial Jeanne d’Arc, her trial site turned museum that provides visitors with an interactive visit, walking them through the history of Joan of Arc and the legend that surrounds her. Approximately one kilometre away from the museum is the Joan of Arc Tower, the former dungeon where the Saint was locked up during her trial. Then, the Église Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc de Rouen marks where she was burned at the stake for heresy. The church is a unique building in the town’s Old Market Square and its interior is lined with stunning stained glass windows. Outside is a statue of Joan of Arc, said to be stationed in the very spot where her life ended.
The site where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen | © christopher_brown / Flickr
People watch in the Old Market Square
The Old Market Square once served as the execution ground for guilty prisoners during the Middle Ages. Today, it is one of the main squares of Rouen, brimming with life from the terraces of colourful buildings that line its perimeter. Take a coffee break here and watch the daily life of the Rouennais pass you by or enjoy a night on the town at one of the nearby restaurants. One of the timber houses that lines the square is La Couronne, the oldest auberge in France and where Julia Child ate her first meal in the country.
Watch the world go by from a café in Rouen's Old Market Square | © H. Grobe / WikiCommons
Peruse the stunning streets of Old Rouen
Rouen’s streets are lined with photo-worthy, colourful half-timber buildings that make a simple walk around the city reason enough to visit. Be sure to stroll the Rue de l’Épicerie, a former bustling street that was captured in a painting by Camille Pissarro in 1898. Of course, no visit to Rouen would be complete without seeing the Gros-Horloge, a stunning Renaissance clock that arches over the Rue du Gros Horloge and a symbol of the Norman town. The city has also been acclaimed for the street art popping up throughout its metropolis, so keep an eye out for that as well or seek certain works out by using this map.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the Jardin des Plantes
A sizeable city garden covering 85,000 square metres, the Jardin des Plantes houses plant species from all corners of the world. Highlights include a rose garden, a garden for medicinal plants and an Asian-inspired rock garden. There’s also a greenhouse, a honey garden and an aviary featuring parrots, parakeets and golden pheasants. The gardens are a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon and are especially a hit for children.
The lush green gardens of Rouen's Jardin des Plantes | © Frédéric Bisson / Flickr
Gather fresh goods from one of the weekly markets
There are many markets each week in Rouen and there are a few that stand out in particular. The market of Clos Saint-Marc carries a wide array of local goods and operates every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 6:00 am to 1:30 pm (doubling as a flea market on Friday and Sunday). The Vieux-Marché in Rouen’s Old Market Square is a classic with vendors selling farm fresh fruits and vegetables as well as flowers. It runs Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm and Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Saturdays, it’s a flea market that is open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Explore Rouen’s bucolic countryside surroundings
Beyond the city limits, the discovery continues with inspiring villages and countryside scenes. The town of Jumièges is 28 kilometres west of Rouen and is known for its ruins of a former Roman Catholic abbey. Approximately 40 kilometres east of the city is Lyons-la-Forêt, named one of the most beautiful villages in France. Northwest of Rouen, the Château de Bois-Guilbert is a seven-hectare square park showcasing a spectacular garden landscaped by Normandy native Jean-Marc de Pas adorned with sculptures. Those looking to get a bit active can explore the countryside by bike or foot and discover the paths neighbouring the natural park, des Boucles de la Seine.
Discover the stunning ruins of an abbey in nearby Jumièges | © JDesplats / WikiCommons
Dine like royalty at Rouen’s incredible restaurants
There are many dining establishments in Rouen from simple crêperies to Michelin-starred restaurants. Wherever you choose, you’re sure to get a quality meal using ingredients from the region. Be sure to try Rouen’s famed dish, the Rouen duckling. A recipe originally conceived in 1933, Rouen duckling is a pressed duck cooked using red wine from Beaune, Porto and Cognac and thickened with blood.
Visit its collection of impressive churches
Rouen boasts a number of stunning churches, mostly constructed in Gothic style. Its best-known and domineering of the bunch, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, is by far the most elaborate and captivating and holds the title of the tallest cathedral in all of France. Be sure to not just take in the exterior, as inside is where the embalmed heart of Richard the Lionheart rests in his tomb. The city’s others churches shouldn’t go unnoticed, either: the Church of Saint-Maclou offers a different aesthetic, renowned for its five gabled arches on its facade and the Abbey of Saint-Ouen is a prime example Flamboyant Gothic architecture.
Facade of the Rouen Cathedral | © Parsifall / WikiCommons
Stroll along the banks of the Seine
Like Paris, the Seine river weaves through Rouen breaking the city into two banks. And also like Paris, the pathway that follows the river’s waters is ideal for an evening stroll, watching as boats and river cruises pass by. Approximately two kilometres in length, the trail begins at the William the Conqueror Bridge and ends at the Rollet peninsula, where you’ll find a large park with a garden and a court for playing a round of pétanque.
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Moon discovery: Radar sheds new light on lunar subsurface
Scientists have used radar technology to shed new light on the subsurface of the moon. Researchers used the Miniature Radio Frequency (Mini-RF) instrument on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft to analyze the moon. In a statement, NASA explained that the lunar subsurface might be richer in metals, like iron and titanium, than previously thought. The space agency is keen to gain as much information as possible on the moon’s resources. NASA’s Artemis program aims to land American astronauts on the lunar surface by 2024 and establish a sustainable human presence on Earth’s natural satellite. “Substantial evidence points to the moon as the product of a collision between a Mars-sized protoplanet and young Earth, forming from the gravitational collapse of the remaining cloud of debris,” said NASA in the statement. “Consequently, the moon’s bulk chemical composition closely resembles that of Earth.” However, there are key differences that have long puzzled scientists. “In the bright plains of the moon’s surface, called the lunar highlands, rocks contain smaller amounts of metal-bearing minerals relative to Earth,” NASA said. “That finding might be explained if Earth had fully differentiated into a core, mantle and crust before the impact, leaving the moon largely metal-poor. But turn to the moon’s maria — the large, darker plains — and the metal abundance becomes richer than that of many rocks on Earth.” To solve this mystery, scientists used Mini-RF to measure the electrical property, known as the dielectric constant, of lunar soil on crater floors in the northern hemisphere of the moon. Researchers found that the electrical properties increased with crater size for craters approximately 1 to 3 miles wide. For craters 3 to 12 miles wide, however, the electrical property remained constant. The discovery offers fresh insight into the moon’s formation. “Because meteors that form larger craters also dig deeper into the moon’s subsurface, the team reasoned that the increasing dielectric constant of the dust in larger craters could be the result of meteors excavating iron and titanium oxides that lie below the surface,” NASA added in the statement. “Dielectric properties are directly linked to the concentration of these metal minerals.” If this hypothesis is true, only the first few hundred meters of the moon’s surface possesses little iron and titanium oxides, according to NASA. “But below the surface, there’s a steady increase to a rich and unexpected bonanza,” it said. Scientists compared the Mini-RF radar images with metal oxide maps from the LRO Wide-Angle Camera, Japan’s Kaguya mission and NASA’s Lunar Prospector spacecraft. “The larger craters, with their increased dielectric material, were also richer in metals, suggesting that more iron and titanium oxides had been excavated from the depths of 0.3 to 1 mile (0.5 to 2 kilometers) than from the upper 0.1 to 0.3 miles (0.2 to 0.5 kilometers) of the lunar subsurface,” NASA explained. The research is published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters. “It was a surprising relationship that we had no reason to believe would exist,” said Essam Heggy, the paper’s lead author and coinvestigator of the Mini-RF experiments from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, in the statement. “The LRO mission and its radar instrument continue to surprise us with new insights about the origins and complexity of our nearest neighbor,” said Wes Patterson, Mini-RF principal investigator from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., and a study coauthor. In a separate project, an international team of scientists recently provided an explanation for the “strange asymmetry” of the dark side of the moon, which has a different composition to the near side facing Earth. When the first images of the far side of the moon emerged decades ago, scientists realized that it has almost no “maria,” or dark regions (from the Latin for sea). Only 1 percent of the far side was covered with maria compared to about 31 percent of the near side, researchers explained. The new research suggests that this is because radioactive elements were “distributed uniquely” after the collision that formed the moon.
Very cool!! For more, click on the text above. 🙂
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Moon, NASA, Science, Space on July 13, 2020 by majbuzzcut. Leave a comment
Get set for strawberry moon: NASA’s top tips for June skywatchers
The next full moon, known as the strawberry moon, will light up the sky this week. Here are NASA’s top tips for June skywatchers. The moon will be full on Friday, June 5, at 3:12 p.m. EDT. “The Moon will appear full for about 3 days around this time, from early Thursday morning into early Sunday morning,” NASA explains on its website. Citing the Maine Farmer’s Almanac, NASA notes that the June full moon was dubbed the strawberry moon by Algonquin tribes. “The name comes from the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries in the north-eastern United States,” the space agency explains. “An old European name for this full Moon is the Mead Moon or the Honey Moon.” Mead is an alcoholic drink made from a fermented mixture of honey and water. “Some writings suggest that the time around the end of June was when honey was ripe and ready to be harvested from hives or from the wild, which made this the ‘sweetest’ Moon,” explains NASA. The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that the name strawberry moon was used by every Algonquin tribe. The celestial event was also known as the rose moon in Europe, it adds. The June full moon may also be linked to the phrase “honeymoon,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. “In the past, June has been the most popular month for weddings, leading some to suggest that the Moon’s honey-colored appearance in June was the origin of the ‘honeymoon’ phrase,” it explains on its website. “Nowadays, however, the most popular wedding months are August, September, and October, plus a little research shows that the Moon’s color never did have anything to do with that expression.” The strawberry moon, however, will not be a supermoon. The May full moon, known as the flower moon, was the last supermoon of 2020. In April, skywatchers enjoyed the super pink moon, which was the largest supermoon of the year. NASA notes that a partial eclipse is also on deck for June 5, although this will not be visible for most people in the Americas. “The Moon will be close enough to opposite the Sun that it will pass through part of the partial shadow of the Earth, called a partial penumbral eclipse of the Moon,” it explains on its website. “During this eclipse the Moon will not be in the sky for most of the Americas. If we could see the Moon, the slight dimming during this eclipse will not be noticeable without instrumentation.” “It’s the most subtle kind of lunar eclipse, one that most people won’t even notice,” adds the EarthSky website. The summer solstice will occur later this month, on June 20. “As spring ends and summer begins, the daily periods of sunlight reach their longest on the solstice, then begin to shorten again,” explains NASA on its website. “Summer Solstice will be on Saturday, June 20, at 5:43 PM. This will be the day with the longest period of sunlight, 14 hours, 53 minutes, and 41.5 seconds,” it adds. The ancient site of Stonehenge in Southern England has become synonymous with solstices. Some scientists believe that Stonehenge was built to mark the summer and winter solstices. NASA also offers other skywatching tips for this month. “As twilight ends on the evening of the full Moon on Friday, June 5, (at 9:42 PM EDT for the Washington, DC area), the planet Mercury will appear about 6 degrees above the horizon in the west-northwest,” it explains, on its website. “The bright star appearing nearest to directly overhead will be Arcturus, appearing (for Washington, DC and similar latitudes) 68 degrees above the horizon in the south-southeast. Also near to directly overhead will be the constellation Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear or the Big Dipper.”
For more info, click on the text above. And, remember to check for that Strawberry Moon this Friday afternoon at 1:12p MDT, for those of us here in sunny Colorado. 🙂
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Astronomy, Moon, NASA, Science, Space, Strawberry Moon on June 3, 2020 by majbuzzcut. Leave a comment
Super pink moon: NASA’s top tips for April skywatchers
Skywatchers are in for a treat in April when the super pink moon, the biggest supermoon of 2020, lights up the night sky. The April full moon is the closest supermoon of the year, which means that it is the largest, according to EarthSky. “That’s because this full moon more closely coincides with lunar perigee – the moon’s closest point to Earth in its monthly obit – than any other full moon in the year 2020,” the website explains. Supermoons happen when the moon’s elliptical orbit brings it to the closest point to the Earth while the moon is full. The phrase was coined in 1979, according to NASA. The space agency explains that the moon will be at perigee, at 2:08 pm EDT on April 7. The moon will be full at 10:35 pm EDT that day. “For the best view of this lovely spring Moon, find an open area and watch as the Moon rises just above the horizon, at which point it will appear its biggest and take on a golden hue!,” explains the Old Farmer’s Almanac, on its website. The April full moon is known as the pink moon, on account of the herb moss pink, also known as wild ground phlox, according to NASA. In the eastern U.S., the herb moss pink is one of the earliest widespread flowers of Spring, the space agency explains, on its website. “Other names for this Moon include the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Fish Moon, as this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn,” it says. Skygazers recently enjoyed the stunning March full moon, or worm moon, which was also a supermoon. Some experts described the spectacular February full moon, or snow moon, as a supermoon, although others feel that it does not qualify as that category of celestial event. The snow moon was one of the largest full moons of 2020.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Astronomy, Moon, NASA, Space, Super Pink Moon on April 2, 2020 by majbuzzcut. Leave a comment
Full worm supermoon on deck: What you need to know
Skywatchers are in for a treat next week when the full worm supermoon rises in the sky. “March’s full Moon, called the full Worm Moon, reaches peak fullness at 1:48 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 9,” explains the Old Farmer’s Almanac. “Look for the spectacularly bright Moon as it rises above the horizon that evening!” The celestial event will be the first of three supermoons in 2020, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. EarthSky notes that the full worm moon will be the second-closest of the year’s supermoons. Supermoons happen when the moon’s elliptical orbit brings it to the closest point to Earth while the moon is full. The phrase was coined in 1979, according to NASA. “The Moon will appear full for about 3 days centered on this time, from early Sunday morning into early Wednesday morning,” adds NASA, on its website. The March full moon, which is also known as the crow moon, crust moon, sap moon and sugar moon, played an important role in Native American culture. “The more northern tribes of the northeastern United States knew this as the Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter,” explains NASA, on its website. “Other northern names were the Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing by night, or the Sap (or Sugar) Moon as this is the time for tapping maple trees.” Southern tribes, however, dubbed the celestial event the “worm moon,” as a result of the casts left by earthworms on the thawing ground. Some experts described the spectacular February full moon, or snow moon, as a supermoon, although others feel that it does not qualify as that category of celestial event. The snow moon was one of the largest full moons of 2020.
Very cool!! Catch it Monday, if ya can! 🙂
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Astronomy, Moon, NASA, Science, Space, supermoon on March 7, 2020 by majbuzzcut. Leave a comment
Mysterious light flashes on the Moon have been baffling researchers for decades
Astronomers have been excited by the Moon for eons, a level that has grown considerably as technological advancements gave humanity access to its surface, and helped researchers make observations from afar. And though there have been several notable lunar-related discoveries since man first walked on the Moon in 1969, there is still one phenomenon that has perplexed researchers for decades. Mysterious, random flashes of light coming from the Moon’s surface. Known as “transient lunar phenomena,” these mysterious, bizarre flashes of light can occur randomly, sometimes several times a week. Often times, they last for just a few minutes but have also been known to last for hours. There have been a number of explanations over the years, from meteors to moonquakes to UFOs, but none have ever been proven. A new telescope in Spain, though, may provide the answer. The lunar telescope, built by Hakan Kayal’s team at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) in Bavaria, Germany, will be pointed at the lunar surface for 24 hours a day and take videos and pictures if both of its cameras register a luminous phenomenon. “The so-called transient lunar phenomena have been known since the 1950s, but they have not been sufficiently systematically and long-term observed,” said Kayal, a professor of space technology at the university, in a statement. Observations of the transient lunar phenomena go back even further, to 1787, according to CNET. The news outlet also noted that Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins told NASA in 1969 about the strange occurrence. “There is an area that is considerably more illuminated than the surrounding area,” Collins told NASA mission control on July 15, 1969, one day prior to the landing on the Moon. “It just has — seems to have a slight amount of fluorescence to it. A crater can be seen, and the area around the crater is quite bright.” The telescope will be in a private observatory in Spain, which Kayal said was chosen over Germany because it offers “simply better weather conditions for observing the Moon.” Kayal also said observations from the remote-controlled telescope will be compared with those from the European Space Agency. “If the same thing was seen there, the event can be considered confirmed,” he added. The astronomer also said that interest in the bizarre lunar flashes is high due to renewed interest in the Moon, thanks to a new “space race” from private companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, as well as advancements from domestic and foreign governments, including China. “Anyone who wants to build a lunar base at some point must of course be familiar with the local conditions,” Kayal said in the release. In January, China landed its Chang’e 4 lunar explorer on the far side of the Moon, becoming the first country to ever land on the side facing away from Earth. More recently, Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, announced plans to send its Blue Moon lander to the celestial satellite. “It’s time to go back to the Moon,” Bezos said in a press conference last month. “This time to stay.”
Fascinating!! 🙂
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Moon, Science, Space on June 12, 2019 by majbuzzcut. Leave a comment
January’s ‘super blood Moon’ eclipse will be visible to millions: Where and how to watch the rare event
Millions of people across the world will witness a partially red-tinted night sky as a rare celestial event arrives this weekend: a “super wolf blood Moon” eclipse. North America hasn’t had a decent view of this special scene in at least three years and another total lunar eclipse — which occurs when the entire Moon enters Earth’s shadow — isn’t expected to happen again until 2021, NASA predicts. “There is a little less than one total lunar eclipse per year on average. A lunar eclipse can only happen during a full moon when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun,” Walter Freeman, an assistant teaching professor in the Physics Department at Syracuse University, said…
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Blood moon, Moon, Science, Space, super blood moon on January 15, 2019 by majbuzzcut. Leave a comment
NASA puts return to moon in crosshairs with ambitious timetable
NASA is buzzing with excitement these days about its ambitious new mission to return to the moon — this time to stay. The agency set an aggressive timetable to have the Gateway space station orbiting the moon by 2024, then begin ferrying astronauts from the station to the lunar surface sometime after 2026. And that is just the beginning. Gateway also will serve as an outpost for deep space science and exploration, including a manned mission to Mars in the 2030s, according to NASA. The timeline, which some scientists say is overly optimistic, isn’t fast enough for President Trump, who dreams of sending humans on the 33.9-million mile journey to the red planet during his administration. “We want to try to do it during my first term or at worst during my second term. So we’ll have to speed that up a little bit, OK?” he quipped in a video call last year with NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The president likely will have to make do with getting astronauts aboard Gateway before the end of a potential second term. Just hitting the 2024 goal will take major technical feats and a bunch of cash. So far, the Trump administration and Congress have kept the money flowing, with $19.5 billion in 2018 and $19.9 billion teed up for 2019. NASA has spent years drafting plans for Gateway, officials known as Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway or LOP-G, but the space agency has not yet built any of it. The design for the 55-ton orbiting station consists of several components: a power and propulsion unit, a habitat module to house astronauts, an airlock section where spacecraft will dock and a massive robotic arm. The first section NASA wants to finish is the power and propulsion element, currently scheduled to deploy in 2022. If everything goes according to plan, the next pieces — habitat and airlock modules — would quickly follow. They would be delivered by the agency’s new deep space rocket, the Space Launch System or SLS. Heralded as the world’s most powerful rocket, SLS has been under development for a decade and is scheduled for its debut flight in 2020. The flight, code named EM-1, is supposed to send the empty Orion crew capsule on a three-week voyage around the moon.
Exciting!! For more, click on the text above. 🙂
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Moon, NASA, Science, Space on December 24, 2018 by majbuzzcut. Leave a comment
How to Watch the Longest ‘Blood Moon’ Eclipse of the Century
Get ready for a celestial double feature unlike anything seen in decades: Mars is about to make its closest approach to Earth in 15 years—just as the full moon blushes red in the longest “blood moon” eclipse of the century. Both the moon and Mars will dominate the overnight hours on July 27 and into the morning of July 28, traveling across the sky beside each other while appearing to be separated by only five degrees, equal to the width of three middle fingers held at arm’s length. On the 27th, the red planet will swing the closest it has come to Earth since August 2003, allowing sky-watchers around the world to see our neighboring world about as big and bright it can ever get in our skies. And while you shouldn’t expect Mars to look as big as the full moon, as many online hoaxes in past years have suggested, you will also get to see the actual moon painted red as it undergoes a total lunar eclipse. During a total eclipse, sunlight shining through Earth’s dusty atmosphere is bent, or refracted, toward the red part of the spectrum as it is cast onto the moon’s surface. As a result, expect to see the lunar disk go from a dark gray color when the eclipse starts to a reddish-orange color during totality. At 1 a.m. ET (5:00 UT) on July 27, Mars will reach what astronomers call opposition. This is when the sun, Earth, and Mars are aligned in a straight path, so that Mars appears to rise in the east just as the sun sets in the west, making the sunlit side of the planet visible all night long. Mars reaches opposition only once every 26 months, when Earth manages to overtake the planet in its tighter track around the sun. But unlike Earth’s more circular orbit, Mars’s path around the sun is fairly elliptical. That means the distance between the two worlds varies, making some oppositions better than others. Mars will make its closest approach to Earth for this year on July 31, coming just 35.8 million miles (57.6 million kilometers) away. Such a close approach just a few days after opposition means the July 27 alignment will be your best bet to see the red planet shine its biggest and brightest until 2035. The previous best encounter occurred 15 years ago, when Mars was a record-breaking 35 million miles (56 million kilometers) distant. Such an epic encounter won’t happen again until 2287. In addition to offering beautiful views, opposition has traditionally set the stage for robotic invasions of Mars. Because of Mars’s proximity and alignment with our planet, the time around opposition is the best for sending spacecraft, saving travel time and fuel costs. For instance, NASA’s Insight lander launched on May 5 and is headed for a Mars landing this November. Many keen-eyed onlookers may have already noticed the fiery planet growing brighter in our night skies the past few months, making it easy to spot with nothing more than the naked eye. To track down the warrior planet for yourself, go outside after dusk on any clear night and look for the bright beacon rising above the eastern horizon. Mars will glide high over the southern sky throughout the night, setting in the west by dawn. Most of the time, Mars is not much to look at through a telescope, but that changes during opposition, when the planet becomes a disk filled with tantalizing features. Even a small telescope with about a six-inch mirror will be able to tease out surface details like the southern ice cap (where astronomers may have just found an underground lake) and distinct, dark regions that are windswept, rocky fields. However, a colossal dust storm has been raging for the past two months on Mars and has enveloped most of the planet, which means telescope views have been a bit hindered. But you can plainly see the effect of all this dust with the naked eye: Mars currently appears to shine with a more yellowish tinge rather than its usual rusty orange hue. Also on July 27, fortunate sky-watchers in South America, Africa, Europe, Australia, and Asia will get to see at least part of the longest-lasting total lunar eclipse of the 21st century. The entire event will last nearly four hours, with the maximum eclipse lasting for one hour, 42 minutes, and 57 seconds from 19:30 to 21:13 UTC. North Americans will mostly miss out on this lunar eclipse, as the moon will not have risen yet. But the lunar display can be observed in its partial phases rising over South America, western Africa, and Europe and setting over Eastern Asia and Australia. The entire eclipse will be visible from eastern Africa and central Asia.
Bummer we probably won’t be able to see it. But, it’ll be streamed live online. For more, click on the text above.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Astronomy, Blood moon, Moon, Science, Space on July 26, 2018 by majbuzzcut. Leave a comment
Days on Earth Are Getting Longer, Thanks to the Moon
Days on Earth are getting longer as the moon slowly moves farther away from us, new research shows. The moon is about 4.5 billion years old and resides some 239,000 miles (385,000 kilometers) away from Earth, on average. However, due to tidal forces between our planet and the moon, the natural satellite slowly spirals away from Earth at a rate of about 1.5 inches (3.82 centimeters) per year, causing our planet to rotate more slowly around its axis. Using a new statistical method called astrochronology, astronomers peered into Earth’s deep geologic past and reconstructed the planet’s history. This work revealed that, just 1.4 billion years ago, the moon was significantly closer to Earth, which made the planet spin faster. As a result, a day on Earth lasted just over 18 hours back then, according to a statement from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “As the moon moves away, the Earth is like a spinning figure skater who slows down as they stretch their arms out,” study co-author Stephen Meyers, a professor of geoscience at UW-Madison, said in the statement. “One of our ambitions was to use astrochronology to tell time in the most distant past, to develop very ancient geological time scales. We want to be able to study rocks that are billions of years old in a way that is comparable to how we study modern geologic processes.” Astrochronology combines astronomical theory with geological observation, allowing researchers to reconstruct the history of the solar system and better understand ancient climate change as captured in the rock record, according to the statement. The moon and other bodies in the solar system largely influence Earth’s rotation, creating orbital variations called Milankovitch cycles. These variations ultimately determine where sunlight is distributed on Earth, based on the planet’s rotation and tilt. Earth’s climate rhythms are captured in the rock record, going back hundreds of millions of years. However, regarding our planet’s ancient past, which spans billions of years, this geological record is fairly limited, researchers said in the statement. This can lead to some uncertainty and confusion. For example, the current rate at which the moon is moving away from Earth suggests that “beyond about 1.5 billion years ago, the moon would have been close enough that its gravitational interactions with the Earth would have ripped the moon apart,” Meyers said. Using their new statistical method, the researchers were able to compensate for the uncertainty across time. This approach was tested on two stratigraphic rock layers: The 1.4-billion-year-old Xiamaling Formation from northern China and a 55-million-year-old record from Walvis Ridge, in the southern Atlantic Ocean. Examining the geologic record captured in the rock layers and integrating the measure of uncertainty revealed changes in Earth’s rotation, orbit and distance from the moon throughout history, as well as how the length of day on Earth has steadily increased. “The geologic record is an astronomical observatory for the early solar system,” Meyers said in the statement. “We are looking at its pulsing rhythm, preserved in the rock and the history of life.” The new study was published Monday (June 4) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
NASA and Russia reveal plan to build SPACE STATION orbiting the MOON
Moscow and Washington have agreed to build the station called Deep Space Gateway – finally bringing a long standing concept into reality. Russia’s space agency Roscosmos announced the ambitious project today in a speech at International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia. Following in the footsteps of the International Space Station, the moon ship would be open to astronauts and cosmonauts from around the world. Space bosses hope the Deep Space Gateway will allow mankind to stage space flights to Mars and elsewhere in the Solar System. It comes after US President Donald Trump announced in his debut speech on Capitol Hill he wanted astronauts to arrive on “distant worlds” within the next ten years. NASA and Roscosmos hope the space station’s first modules would be completed by 2026 – the 250th anniversary of the United States. “We have agreed to join the project to build a new international Deep Space Gateway station in the moon’s orbit,” Russian space chief Igor Komarov said. The space station could provide a staging point for the proposed Deep Space Transport vessel – which would ferry astronauts around the solar system. It is hoped technology developed for the Deep Space Gateway could be implemented into surface bases on the Moon and Mars. In a mission statement for the project, NASA said: “NASA is leading the next steps into deep space near the moon, where astronauts will build and begin testing the systems needed for challenging missions to deep space destinations including Mars. “The area of space near the moon offers a true deep space environment to gain experience for human missions that push farther into the solar system, access the lunar surface for robotic missions but with the ability to return to Earth if needed in days rather than weeks or months.” The space agency added: “The gateway and transport could potentially support mission after mission as a hub of activity in deep space near the moon, representing multiple countries and agencies with partners from both government and private industry. “NASA is open to new ideas of both a technical and programmatic nature suggestions as we develop, mature and implement this plan.” Speaking in March, Trump said, “American footprints on distant worlds are not too big a dream” and added all was possible if, “we set free the dreams of our people.”
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Deep Space Gateway, Moon, NASA, Science, Space on September 27, 2017 by majbuzzcut. Leave a comment
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Revoluntionary War
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After No Investigation, U.S. Identifies Boston Bomber as al-Qaeda
Two explosions shook the Boston Marathon, and the country, Monday, 15 April 2013. According to the latest reports, three people died in the attack, and 130 were injured.
The identity of the individual or group responsible is as of yet unknown.
“We’re working on it,” said Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. “As of right now, every single person working in the U.S. government and military is working on figuring out who was responsible for these attacks. Literally everyone.”
“Everyone,” she added once more, for emphasis.
According to various sources, her claim is indeed true. Each and every individual working in the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, the Department of “Justice,” the Department of Defense, the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshals Service, the National Guard, the National Drug Intelligence Center, the Department of Treasury (especially the Department of Treasury), the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, the Department of State, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Commerce (especially the Department of Commerce), and even the Departments of Education and Agriculture is participating in the national search.
Even Wal-Mart has joined in the search. Napolitano stirred some controversy among those foolish Americans who oppose the military-industrial complex (and who rationally think) in December of 2010, when she announced that the Department of Homeland Security would be partnering with Wal-Mart. “Public service announcements” (fancy government-speak for “propaganda”) were played on television sets in Wal-Mart stores throughout the country, telling customers “If you see something, say something,” to report any suspicious behavior to Wal-Mart personnel—that is to say, if you see any scary bearded people with a turban on, tell the Wal-Mart manager so he/she can call the SWAT team in to lock down the store before they blow things up. As Napolitano assured us, in her own words in a 2010 interview, this decision is simply the modern parallel “to the Cold War fight against communists.”
The House of Un-American Activities, formed in 1938, responsible for investigating these latter “Free” Market-hating, equality-seeking subversives, was renamed as the “House Committee on Internal Security” in 1969. In 2002, this committee was again renamed the “Department of Homeland Security.” Today, we call it the “U.S. Government.”
“The point is,” Napolitano concluded, “the U.S. government, with the help of the kind, kind, kind hearts at Wal-Mart, is searching for an even worse enemy than those dirty communists: those dirty terrorists.”
“Oh yes,” she added, as if she had just remembered what she was supposed to say. “And don’t forget: ‘Save money. Live better.’™” (She said the “tm.”)
Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar offered a few words on the affair, in an interview with The Colonel. “Wal-Mart is a company that truly loves its country. We truly do! Uncle Sam has been so good to us. What other government in the world could sustain such gargantuan subsidies, neoliberal policies, and refusal to regulate corporate crime, exploitation, and corruption?! Only the greatest country on Earth can do that. We will be joining this country, standing side-by-side with Uncle Sam, in the search for those dirty Muslim, I mean terrorist—that’s the accepted term, right?—bastards responsible for the Boston Massacre No. 2.”
When asked what all of the federal government’s circa two million workers could possibly be doing to investigate a relatively small-scale incident, she replied “Shuffling papers, mostly. But how else are you supposed to make it look like the government is actually investigating who really did the bombing? It’s not like we’ve already decided beforehand who was responsible.”
“We definitely didn’t already decide beforehand who was responsible,” maintained Robert S. Mueller, III, director of the FBI. In spite of the number of people involved, the bureau is leading the search.
“We haven’t done much investigating yet,” he admitted. “We’ve been too busy making media hype and marketing the event. Even we here in the FBI have to work on our Personal Brand!™” (He said the “tm.”)
The FBI identified a suspect immediately after the bombing. His identify is unknown, but every “news”paper in the country has decided to simply call him the “Saudi Man”—to emphasize his “otherness” and “Middle-Easternness” and “terroristness,” of course.
“We identified the suspect right off of the bat,” noted Mueller. “We charged him with both Being Brown at the Scene of the Crime and Being Bearded at the Scene of the Crime. Both are very serious offenses. You can be locked up in a secret and/or privatized and/or secret privatized prison—where you’ll be tortured for the rest of your life, without trial—if you’re brown and bearded enough.”
When reminded that the 20-year-old man they identified as a suspect, without a single shred of evidence, did not in fact have a beard, Mueller responded “Exactly. This man went beyond these two punishable-by-death felonies: He shaved his beard three days before the attack. It’s obvious he was trying to dispose of the evidence. And that’s another couple of felonies right there.”
After searching the young man’s house, nevertheless, the FBI found nothing. Absolutely nothing. In desperate frustration, it planted a few things, but even that was unable to stick, given the man’s squeaky clean record.
As the innocent young man lay convalescent in the hospital, recovering from the wounds he endured in the explosion, Andrew Napolitano (of no relation to Janet—although he jokingly calls her “Cousin Janet”) lamented on Fox “News” “There must be enough evidence to keep him there.” Mainly because the racist asshole hates anyone that isn’t white.
The young man has since been released, after heavy police surveillance and probing. Napolitano has exploded in fury over the exculpation of the entirely innocent victim. “The fucking (Can I say that in the interview? Oh, I can? Well, in that case)—The fuckidy fuckingly fucking liberal fucks in Washington thought we should let him go, citing ‘human rights’ or some bull shit, claiming we didn’t have any evidence. Terrorist scumbags. We had to let the criminal go. Thanks Obama.”
Mueller has not expressed worry over the acquittal of the innocent man whose life the government and media have now destroyed. “We already have a list of other potential suspects,” Mueller stated, pointing at his computer screen, on which was loaded the Wikipedia article for “Muslim.”
President Obama offered his thoughts on the bombing in a Monday government address, firmly stipulating “We will find out who did this; we’ll find out why they did this. … Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.”
In an exclusive interview with The Colonel, however, Obama divulged that he already knew that the bombings were organized by al-Qaeda.
“We don’t even need to investigate,” he claimed. “It’s a given.”
When asked if these claims contradicted (Janet) Napolitano’s, Mueller insisted that this is not at all the case. “We have everyone in the government on this case. Everyone. Literally, everyone. We already know who the culprit is though: Al–Qaeda. DUH. So, what they’re all doing their hardest to do is simply find something. Anything. A single scrap of evidence. An essay on so-called U.S. ‘imperialism.’ A book by Tariq Ali, or Ali Abunimah, or some other terrorist dude. A freshly used razor, hair still on it. A Facebook status criticizing me. A box of matches. A misspelled Google search. A half-eaten apple. Emphasis on the possibility of a Facebook status criticizing me. The Communist Manifesto. The Quran.”
“Anything can be used for the sake of terrorism. In the fight against terrorism, then, anything can be considered terrorism. Anything.”
“And, really,” he added, “if he has a Facebook status like that”; the President slowly dragged his hand horizontally across his neck.
“And I really hope he didn’t tag me,” Obama bemoaned. “My Fb friends might see that.”
Critiques have accused the government of politicizing this recent tragedy. When asked to comment, Obama applied melodramatically. “Of course we are politicizing it! There are few opportunities that we get like this, to encourage Americans to unite and blindly obey what we tell them to do, I mean stand in solidarity with their fellow citizens to defeat this Islamic threat, I mean terrorist threat, I mean Iran.”
“As James Madison said,” he continued, “‘If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.’ We don’t really wanna be the ones who have to bring Tyranny and Oppression to this land—especially the kind with the big T and O—but, if we have to, if it’s in the interest of national security (well, and corporate profit), we must.”
“You see,” Obama explained, “we kill innocent civilians every single day. Lots. LOTS. Remember in the past interviews with you guys when I told you about all the atrocities I and my predecessors have committed throughout the Middle East, or listed all the countries my country had been bombing, or how I was giving money to violent drug cartels in Mexico—wait, that was twice, wasn’t it?—or that one in the future, when I’m going to talk about all the innocent children I’ve killed with drones, and tell you, in reflecting on my presidency, that, according to any rational definition, I was a right-winger the whole time, and that Democrats were just too stupid to notice?”
“Anyway, the point is we must remind the world that we are the ones that do the killing. We do the killing. And we do it on their soil. Not on our soil. On their soil.”
“Who are “they”? Well, brown people. And bearded people. And non-bearded people. And Muslims. And non-Muslims. And anyone who has oil. And anyone who lives on top of oil. And anyone who doesn’t live on top of oil but probably has something really cool in their pocket but won’t give it to me. And even people who don’t live on top of oil, and probably don’t have anything really cool in their pocket, because, I mean, fuck them, what’s there to live for if you don’t have anything in your damn pocket?”
“Again, the fact of the matter is, when someone bombs us, we bomb back, with 100 times the intensity… Nah, just joshin’: with 10000000000000000000000000000000 times the intensity. It’s self-defense. Page one of Sun Tzu. And the Bible. I’ll read it. Right here.”
Obama then pulled out an old, worn copy of the Bible. “Here it is. I quote.”
“Matthew 5:38–5:42, King James. ‘Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Oh yea, and, if someone bombs you, BOMB DA FUCK OUT OF THEM IN RETURN.’”
“God said that. His words.” Obama raised the holy book to The Colonel reporter, showing a page on which it looked remarkably like someone had scribbled the last line in crayon.
“See? God gave us permission to bomb the world.”
“Not that we really need it anyway,” he added.
The Colonel then interviewed President George W. Bush on the matter—not because he is a specialist on the matter or anything, or even knows what the hell he’s taking about, but merely because that’s what respectable “news”papers do now-a-days.
“It was al-Qaeda. I know it.”
“I mean, c’mon. Who else in the world would bomb innocent civilians for political reasons?” the ex-President asked, the splendorous shine of his splendent teeth shining shiningly.
By Aunt Samantha
April 18, 2013 coloneleditorFeatures, Front Page, U.S.
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The Vista Voice
Vista’s Top Ten
Archived stories
Flexi Schedule Offerings
Is Vista’s Dress Code Strict?
Clothes worn for a regular day.
Arin Enders, Staff Writer
Eagle time: October 6, 2015
The dress code helps students dress as if they are in a workplace, but it also limits the clothes they can wear. There is a big debate over dress code, and while some say it’s too strict and useless, others say dress code is necessary for the learning environment.
One dress code rule that Vista and six other schools have in common is the “No Bare Midriffs” rule. These schools (listed below) share similar rules in their dress code, but each one has unique dress codes with rules that other schools might not have in their own. These dress codes vary, with some having more rules than others, but all schools have in common “undergarments should not be visible,” and “must wear shoes”. (Wearing shoes is not only part of the dress codes, it’s part of the state law.)
Folsom High School requires all straps to be at least one and a half inches and doesn’t allow pajamas, slippers, halters, low-cut tops, tube tops, off the shoulder tops, and undershirts. Folsom High also requires shorts, skirts and dresses to be at the tip of fingers when arms are extended.
Cordova High School doesn’t allow holes in jeans. This school prefers collared shirts, though it isn’t required. All shirts must have sleeves, and like Folsom High School, pajamas, slippers, crop tops, or any top that does not cover the midriff are not allowed. Skirts, shorts and dresses must pass the fingertips when arms are extended. In addition to these rules, headwear cannot be worn in classrooms, and anything that affects the learning environment negatively is not allowed.
At Folsom Lake High School, hats are allowed in classrooms if the teacher approves of it, but no hoods or sunglasses. Shirts must cover the torso, meaning backless garments, strapless tops, and bare midriffs are not allowed. Students are not allowed to wear more than two clothes or accessories that are in red or blue. For example, it would be okay to wear both a red shirt and a red bracelet, but no red pants with it. Night wear such as pajamas and slippers are only allowed for spirit days. Offensive or dangerous clothes are against dress code, and sagging is not allowed.
Kinney High School does not allow clothes with illegal, dangerous and sexual related things on it. Nightwear, tube tops, halter tops and see-through fabrics may not be worn. Only one clothing item in red or blue is allowed to be worn. Clothes must also be neat, groomed, and worn properly, like overall straps must be over the shoulder. Grooming aids like hair rollers are not allowed to be worn or brought to school. Clothes with lettering added to it is not allowed, and dew rags, cloths that are used to cover someone’s head, are allowed as long as they are in black or white, and under a baseball cap.
Some of the dress code rules that Oak Ridge High School includes are “holes, rips, frays, or slits must be 5 inches or more below the student’s bottom,” and “no wheelies.” See-through fabrics like fishnets are not allowed, and just like Kinney High School, grooming aids are not allowed. When the student’s arms are above their head, tops must completely cover skin and overlap the waistband of bottoms. Pajamas are only allowed on spirit days and halter tops, strapless tops, and off the shoulder tops are not allowed.
In Antelope High School, only “Antelope High School” baseball caps are allowed according to their dress code. Antelope High School also requires jean holes above the knee to be covered. Along with Oak Ridge High School, Antelope doesn’t allow bandanas. Wallet chains and sagging are not allowed. Strapless shirts are not allowed, and shirts must fit properly, which means no long T-shirts and no bare midriffs.
Compared to Vista’s dress code, these schools had some rules we don’t have in our dress code, and vice versa. Only Antelope High School and Folsom Lake High School shared the “no tanks with deep arm holes” rule with Vista in their dress codes, but these schools also had some additional rules, much like other schools.
“I think dress code is necessary, but it needs to loosen up,” said sophomore Penny Sokun. She believes that students shouldn’t come to school all naked, but shouldn’t get in trouble for showing a bit of midriff. “Being dresscoded felt unfair because other girls in my class were wearing short shorts too.” When asked about how dress code affects students, Sokun responded, “Students can get angry about the dress code and wouldn’t want to follow it.” Sokun believes that dress code does need to be improved so students who get caught breaking the dress code aren’t angry about the students who get away with it.
“Students break the rules and some get away with them,” sophomore Aya El Sabban said. “I understand if someone is dress coded if they were showing a lot of skin, but dress code is too strict sometimes, and it sexualizes the body in a way that it shouldn’t.”
Kelly Hillesland is an eleventh grade AP English teacher at Vista. “Dress code exists because the belief is we can require students to look appropriate for school, in hopes that this will translate to a professional look for the working world,” she said, “but I just don’t see this as an issue. Kids grow up and conform when they’re adults in the working world.” Hillesland believes that there should be a dress code for clothes that promotes things like drugs and violence, but doesn’t see the need for dress code for things like bare shoulders.
Hillesland believes that dress code takes too much time and energy to enforce it, but she doesn’t see this as an issue. “Lots of people disagree with that, of course, but bare shoulders aren’t distracting,” she said. “Our society sexualizes girls, so their bodies are considered sexy, and boys aren’t. So the trouble falls on the girls, even though their intent is just to be comfortable, trendy, and cool.” Hillesland, however, does see a need for dress code when it comes to wearing something that promotes drugs, alcohol, homophobia, racism, etc.
Kat Kelly, an English 9 and Beginning Composition teacher at Vista, believes that dress code can affect student’s positively and negatively depending whether they follow or break the rules. “School should be a neutral place to learn; it is not a beach, a dance club, or a fashion show,” Kelly said, “It is natural to want to dress up and show off your ‘cute’ clothes, but, unfortunately, we live in a society that promotes a lot of ideals that may be offensive to others.”
“I am also troubled by the amount of alcohol, drug, and violent messages people wear on their shirts or place on their car bumpers,” Kelly said. “School should be a safe place-for all-where we promote an acceptable, appropriate dress code, where nobody is offended by someone else’s choices.” Kelly believes that students break dress code because since this student wore clothes that break dress code and didn’t get in trouble for it, other students think they can wear it too.
Lori Emmington is a vice principal at Vista. “Vista’s dress code is one of the most lenient,” Emmington said. “Some students feel dress code is about body shaming, but it isn’t. It’s more about dressing as if you’re in a workplace.”
A problem with the dress code is only some teachers are enforcing it. “With only a few people enforcing the dress code, it’s unfair,” Emmington said. “We want a gender neutral dress code, where all of the rules apply for boys and girls.” The same rules will apply soon in the dance dress code. Emmington believes that there are no clothes specific for boys or girls.
“Dress code is always evolving with the times,” she said. “Back then, boys were the ones getting dress-coded all the time for sagging, but now it’s the girls, and some students do feel uncomfortable by revealing clothing, and we want to protect them and make them feel comfortable at school.”
About the orange outfits, the reason why dress coded students have to wear them is only because it’s easier. “We can’t let students call parents to bring school appropriate clothes because it just takes too much time,” said Emmington. However, she does allow you to wear P.E. clothes instead, if available.
There’s a lot of controversy around the subject of dress code, but it’s something everyone has to follow.
Any comments deemed threatening or inappropriate will be deleted
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Elections: What are Students’ positions?
What’s Life Like In The Most Expensive State?
The student news site of Vista del Lago
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Percy Bysshe Shelley ( (listen) BISH; 4 August 1792 – 8 July 1822) was one of the major English Romantic poets, who is regarded by some as among the finest lyric and philosophical poets in the English language, and one of the most influential. A radical in his poetry as well as in his political and social views, Shelley did not see fame during his lifetime, but recognition of his achievements in poetry grew steadily following his death. Shelley was a key member of a close circle of visionary poets and writers that included Lord Byron, John Keats, Leigh Hunt, Thomas Love Peacock, and his own second wife, Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.
Shelley is perhaps best known for classic poems such as "Ozymandias", "Ode to the West Wind", "To a Skylark", "Music, When Soft Voices Die", "The Cloud", and "The Masque of Anarchy". His other major works include a groundbreaking verse drama The Cenci (1819) and long, visionary, philosophical poems such as Queen Mab (later reworked as The Daemon of the World), Alastor, The Revolt of Islam, Adonaïs, Prometheus Unbound (1820)—widely considered to be his masterpiece—Hellas: A Lyrical Drama (1821), and his final, unfinished work, The Triumph of Life (1822).
Shelley's close circle of friends included some of the most important progressive thinkers of the day, including his father-in-law, the philosopher William Godwin, and Leigh Hunt. Though Shelley's poetry and prose output remained steady throughout his life, most publishers and journals declined to publish his work for fear of being arrested for either blasphemy or sedition. Shelley's poetry sometimes had only an underground readership during his day, but his poetic achievements are widely recognized today, and his political and social thought had an impact on the Chartist and other movements in England, and reach down to the present day. Shelley's theories of economics and morality, for example, had a profound influence on Karl Marx; his early—perhaps first—writings on nonviolent resistance influenced Leo Tolstoy, whose writings on the subject in turn influenced Mahatma Gandhi, and through him Martin Luther King Jr. and others practicing nonviolence during the American civil rights movement.
Shelley became a lodestar to the subsequent three or four generations of poets, including important Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite poets such as Robert Browning and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. He was admired by Oscar Wilde, Thomas Hardy, George Bernard Shaw, Leo Tolstoy, Bertrand Russell, W. B. Yeats, Upton Sinclair and Isadora Duncan. Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience was apparently influenced by Shelley's writings and theories on non-violence in protest and political action. Shelley's popularity and influence has continued to grow in contemporary poetry circles.
The best books of all time by Percy Bysshe Shelley
988 . The Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley (/ˈpɜrsi ˈbɪʃ ˈʃɛli/;[2] 4 August 1792 – 8 July 1822) was one of the major English Romantic poets, and is regarded by critics as amongst the finest lyric poets in the English l...
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Iran wants to build a ‘Mega-Ton’ warship
The National Interest | David Axe: The Iranian navy announced it would build a new kind of warship — a destroyer displacing as much as 7,000 tons of water, potentially placing it roughly in the same class as major American and European surface combatants.
Be skeptical. Iran for decades has failed significantly to expand its surface fleet. The lack of resources that so far have constrained Tehran’s fleet likely will continue to limit it. Don’t count on a “mega-ton” destroyer, as Iranian media described it, to enter service any time soon.
Iranian navy commander Rear Adm. Hossein Khanzadi on Nov. 24, 2019 announced the plan for the new destroyer class. Khanzadi said the fleet had established the Negin project to oversee the vessel’s development.
The admiral said the new destroyer would displace between 5,000 and 7,000 tons of water and would possess long range and high endurance. Iran frequently announces naval deployments across the Atlantic to U.S. waters but never actually has followed through on the announcements.
At present, the Iranian fleet’s biggest warships are corvettes displacing around 1,300 tons of water. All the corvettes are based on a British design dating to the 1970s.
But Iran “has made major achievements in manufacturing different weapons and military equipment, especially vessels,” Fars News Agency reported.
The fleet in December 2019 announced plans to manufacture a 300-feet-long, helicopter-carrying trimaran warship it calls Safineh. If and when it enters service, the triple-hill vessel will “be used in asymmetric coastal warfare and rapid-reaction operations,” Fars explained.
But it’s worth noting that every new surface warship Tehran has managed to acquire in recent years at best is a slight improvement on the same basic corvette design the Iranian fleet has relied on for nearly 50 years.
The Iranian navy in August 2019 announced it will return to service the frigate Damavand following 18 months of repairs. Damavand in January 2018 collided with a pier, killing two sailors and badly damaging the vessel.
Damavand is part of Iran’s Caspian Sea fleet. The landlocked Caspian Sea borders Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Ships in the Caspian fleet realistically cannot play any direct role in a conflict on the Persian Gulf.
Damavand is one of three Moudge-class frigates in Iranian service. Four more reportedly are under construction. Iran operates one ship, Sahand, that is a slightly larger version of the Moudge class.
The Moudges are reverse-engineered copies of Iran’s British-designed, 1970s-vintage Alvand-class ships, three of which remain in service.
The seven Moudges and Alvands are the biggest and most powerful surface ships in the Iranian fleet. Tehran describes the vessels as “destroyers,” but the ships actually are corvettes by international naval standards.
The Moudges and Alvands are equipped with radars and armed with guns plus a few short-range, shoulder- and tube-launched anti-air and anti-ship missiles.
By comparison, any one of the U.S. Navy’s roughly 70 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, each displacing 9,000 tons of water, carries more than 90 long-range anti-air, anti-ship and land-attack missiles.
Still, Iran heralded Damavand’s return to service. “The destroyer has been upgraded and equipped with the latest technologies, making it ready to face the harshest situations in the Caspian Sea,” Khanzadi told Iranian media.
If war breaks out, American forces could target Iran’s small navy as well as the vessels belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps militia.
The battle could be brief. Iran’s fleet has a long history of waging losing fights with the United States and other Western powers.
Newly equipped with British-designed vessels, the Iranian navy fought hard during the bloody Iran-Iraq war between 1980 and 1988. Iran’s attacks on tanker ships—some strictly neutral, others admittedly supplying Iraq—incited international rage.
In 1987, Washington approved Kuwait’s request to “reflag” its tankers as American vessels, in order to allow the U.S. Navy to escort the ships through the Persian Gulf. The Americans’ Operation Earnest Will, lasting from July 1987 to September 1988, included several smaller efforts that resulted in the destruction of Iranian forces.
The U.S. Navy converted two oil-service barges into “sea bases” for Special Operations Forces and armed helicopters, and the U.S. Army placed attack copters aboard Navy ships. On Sept. 21, 1987 Little Bird helicopters from the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment attacked the Iranian vessel Ajr as she laid mines, forcing the crew to abandon ship.
On Oct. 16, 1987, an Iranian missile struck a Kuwaiti tanker, injuring 19 people. In response, a U.S. task force targeted two inoperable oil platforms that IRGC forces were using as bases for armed speedboats.
American warships surrounded the platforms, compelling the Iranian crews to evacuate. U.S. commandos climbed aboard one platform to gather up any documents the Iranians had left behind. Four U.S. destroyers opened fire, setting the platforms ablaze.
On April 14, 1988, the frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts struck an Iranian mine while escorting tanker ships through the Persian Gulf. The carrier USS Enterprise led a retaliatory raid.
Two U.S. destroyers and an amphibious assault ship carrying a battalion of U.S. Marines assaulted an oil platform the Iranians were using as a staging base. The Iranians fired back, drawing heavy return fire from the destroyers and Marine Cobra helicopters. Marines stormed the platform, capturing one surviving Iranian gunner.
Iranian speedboats raided three civilian cargo ships. As the Iranians withdrew, Enterprise’s A-6 bombers zeroed in, sinking one speedboat with cluster bombs.
The Iranian missile boat Joshan fired a Harpoon anti-ship missile at a group of American warships—and missed. The Americans fired back with Harpoon and Standard missiles then sank the damaged Joshan with their guns.
While the U.S. ships fought off Iranian air attacks, Tehran’s “destroyers” joined the battle. Sahand and Sabalan both fired without effect at A-6s overhead. The A-6s shot back with Harpoons and laser-guided bombs, sinking Sahand and badly damaging Sabalan.
The newer frigate Sahand is named for the ship the Americans sank in 1988.
David Axe serves as Defense Editor of the National Interest. He is the author of the graphic novels War Fix, War Is Boring and Machete Squad.
Iran Damavand destroyer, Iran Navy, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi December 2, 2019
Tehran Municipality resorts to failed plans to curb Tehran air pollution
Insurance penetration rate rising
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Gaming & Coding
Nintendo Reveals Toy-Con Garage Invention System for Labo
Nintendo plans to release the highly anticipated Labo for Switch gaming systems April 20. Today at an event in San Francisco, the company revealed a unique component that adds a new dimension of invention and node-based coding to the mixed-reality system — Toy-Con Garage.
To backtrack for those unfamiliar with it, Nintendo Switch is a gaming platform that's designed to operate as both a console and a handheld system. Earlier this year it became the fastest-selling console system ever in the United States and is expected to sell 20 million units in 2018.
Labo is a unique system for Switch that brings mixed-reality capabilities to the platform, allowing users to build interactive devices out of cardboard that can not only interact with games and other content on the screen but can be interacted with. For example, users can build a car out of cardboard that can actually move using vibration controlled through the Switch's touchscreen. Similarly, they can build a fully functional keyboard out of cardboard and use it to play music through the Switch. Various toggles can be added to the keyboard for controlling voice, pitch and other elements. All out of cardboard (well, that and a little IR-reflective tape).
In April, two Labo kits will be released: Robot Kit and Variety Kit. (A Customization Set will also be available. That is essentially stickers and other decorative elements for Labo constructions.) The Robot Kit allows users to build elements that allow users to control a robot in a video game using their full body. The Variety Kit includes several kits for a range of objects shown in the video above — the two RC Cars, a complete Fishing Rod, the House, the Motorbike and the Piano. The (expertly decorated) moving car I built shown in the photo below. Both kits include software and all the necessary materials.
Now, in addition to all that, Nintendo has revealed Toy-Con Garage. This is a system — accessed in Discover mode when using the Labo software — that lets users design their own mixed-reality interfaces using cardboard (or really any object, as Nintendo demonstrated using everyday objects) and to customize the functioning of the objects they build using the official kits (such as creating custom fish for the fishing game or using the fishing reel as a musical instrument.
In order to make the objects work, Nintendo provides a sort of coding studio that lets users create input and output nodes. An example of an input node might be "push button on blue controller." An output might be "play sound" or "vibrate red controller." By connecting the input to an output (or more than one output), the effects can be created.
The controllers themselves have sensors that can also be used as inputs. For example, one of the controllers has an IR motion sensor. That's also an input. When IR is reflected back at the sensor, that can trigger an action. Because it's a motion sensor, it can be used for rotating and sliding inputs as well (as with the case of pitch modulation on the Labo piano). Moving objects can also be set to follow IR-reflective objects.
Not all of the details about the Toy-Con Garage have been revealed, but we'll post updates as more information becomes available. Curriculum for the system has not yet been announced. Labo is available now for preorder for $69.99 for 4the Variety Kit and $79.99 for the Robot Kit. Further details can be found at labo.nintendo.com.
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Kat Calvin Helps Spread the Vote
Kat Calvin is the Founder and Executive Director of Spread The Vote and the Co-Founder and CEO of Project ID. A lawyer, activist and social entrepreneur, Kat has built a national organization that helps Americans obtain the ID they need for jobs, housing and life, and that also allows them to go to the polls. Kat is also the co-host, along with Andrea Hailey of Vote! The Podcast.
More info about Kat.
Full Transcript:
Passionistas: Hi, and welcome to the Passionistas Project Podcast. We're Amy and Nancy Harrington. And before we start our interview today, we wanted to tell you about our upcoming event from Friday, August 21st through Sunday, August 23rd, we'll be hosting the Passionistas Project Women's Equality Summit. The three-day virtual event will feature live panel discussions, prerecorded presentations, daily workshops. The Passionistas Portraits storyteller event. The LUNAFEST® short film festival, a virtual marketplace and a Pay It Forward Portal. We'll also be presenting the first annual Passionistas Persist Humanitarian Award to a very special honoree. The weekend is centered around the theme of women's equality and intersectional feminism from a range of perspectives, including racial equality, LGBTQ plus rights, financial equity, voter suppression, ageism, physical and mental health issues, religious persecution, and so much more. And best of all, it's free for the weekend. Go to ThePassionistasProject.com to register.
And now for today's interview, we're talking with Kat Calvin, the Founder and Executive Director of Spread the Vote and the Co-Founder and CEO of Project ID. A lawyer activist and social entrepreneur, Kat has built a national organization that helps Americans obtain the ID they need for jobs, housing and life. And that also allows them to go to the polls. Kat is an advisor to Ragtag and DemCast and sits on the boards of the California Women's List. Kat is one of the Time magazines 16 people in groups fighting for a more equal America, 2018 Fast Company 100 most creative people in business and has been a Business Insider 30 under 30, Grios 100 and more. So please welcome to the show. Kat Calvin.
Kat: Thanks so much for having me.
Passionistas: Thanks for joining us today. What's the one thing you're most passionate about?
Kat: That's an incredibly difficult question, probably movies. I love movies more than anything. That's probably my greatest passion in life. What is it about movies that mean so much to you? I came up in theater and I love storytelling and I love accessible storytelling. And so I sort of studied a lot of theater and sort of the difference between the way theater was during the times of Eschalas and Shakespeare, what it was for the commons. And now it's less successful, but TV and film and took lately. Now that we have streaming, et cetera, it's accessible for everyone. And I think that great storytelling that everyone can see is really amazing. And I come from a big movie loving family. So it's most of my early memories have to do with like Butch and Sundance or Hitchcock or something.
It's pretty much what I talk about all the time. If I'm not talking about IDs or voting, most people like you are the wrong business. If I had to choose one great passion, I'm sure the answers should be something related to what I do for a living, but it's actually movies, which is no secret to anybody.
Passionistas: So let's talk a little bit about what you do for a living. So talk about Spread the Vote. What inspired you to start it.
Kat: At Spread the Vote we help people get government issued photo ID, which they use for jobs, housing, to get food at many food banks to sleep in many shelters, etc, everything you need an ID for in life. And then in many States across the country, they also use them to vote. So we help folks get all of the documents required. Birth certificates, proofs of residency insurance, not insurance identity, etc. We pay for everything. We provide transportation advocacy at the DMV and government offices and do whatever it takes to get an ID of their hands. This is all pre apocalypse, of course. And then when an election comes around, we make sure they're all registered to vote. And then we do a lot of voter education. 77% of our clients have never voted before. So we do a lot of helping just walk folks through the process and what's going to be on the ballot and how to vote, et cetera. And then we take them to the polls. So that's sort of the process A to Z. I started it after the 2016 elections. Actually we're about to have our third birthday. I started December of 16, but we count our official birthday is May 6, which is when we launched our first chapter. And so now we're in 12 States. We're working hard, getting ideas everyday until like a month ago. And now we're all just like waiting for the zombies to come.
Passionistas: Don't watch any more zombie movies. That's not going to help you right now. It's just going to make it harder. That is an incredible mission to be on. Was there an inciting incident that inspired you to do this, or was it just kind of something that had been on your mind?
Kat: I would say the election in November of 2016 was the inciting incident. I had studied voting rights in law school and some done a lot of work around it and sort of the voting rights act, but we still had one at that time. I didn't really feel that it was a really pressing me to like go into voting rights work. And I went into some other spaces. And then when the VRA was declined in 2013, we started to see a lot of things change about voting in America, particularly voter ID laws were being passed pretty quickly. And then the '16 elections were the first national elections where we didn't have the protections of the voting rights act and where we saw the effects of a lot of these new laws and rules. I'm including the effects of voter ID laws I'm and I had run some other organizations and I had some health issues.
I had sort of decided to retire that lasted a year, then the election happened. And so then I knew I had to sort of get started again. And there were a lot of really fantastic organizations trying to fight voter ID laws through judicial or legislative remedies, which have been less successful than would be desired, but there weren't any organizations, national organizations just getting IDs. So that sort of made sense to me as a good place to start.
Passionistas: Talk about the nuts and bolts of it. How do you go about finding the people who need these ideas and how do you help them?
Kat: Well, there are over 21 million people in the country over the age of 18 who do not have government issued photo ID. So finding people who need help getting ideas, not a challenge. We partner with a ton of organizations, uh, any type of organization that works with the same 11% of the population that we work with. Um, if you don't have an ID, then you can't get a job. I get housing, et cetera. So it's a large percentage of people who are experiencing homelessness, a lot of returning citizens, um, a lot of seniors and students with low or no incomes. Um, so we partner with shelters and food banks and prisons and jails and public defenders and schools and senior centers and just all of those types of organizations.
And we either go to them or they refer people to us, depending on the situation. You know, we work with a lot of, uh, domestic violence. I'm the shelters. And so, you know, there, we have to be specially trained and they refer people to us versus if we're going to a food bank once a week. So we really work with each community based on what works best for them. I am. And then we have our mostly volunteers. We have over 600 trained volunteers, but then we also have a few field staff who go into these spaces, um, and, and connect with the clients. Uh, we also get, you know, at this point, a lot of people who call us or email us, or fill out a form online that we have, but they all get connected with someone who then walks them through that process of helping them get those documents, paying for everything, helping them get to final records and the DMV and wherever they need to go and making sure they get the idea in their hand.
Passionistas: Why is this so important right now?
Kat: Now it's important because there are over 21 million people in this country who don't have the ID. They need to see a doctor, right? Like there are really immediate needs. You can't do anything really without an ID. And so when you think about, you know, people who need to get employed, one of the first things that happens almost every time we get someone IDs, they say, I can apply for jobs now, or we have a lot of people who get jobs. I can't start them because they don't have ID. And so, you know, you cannot escape poverty without an ID. Um, you can't get off the streets independently without an ID. And so being able to help someone get that means that they are able to, you know, pursue employment opportunities. Um, you know, a lot of cities and, and shelters have place housing placement services, but you can't get one without 90.
And I'm the reason we work with a lot of government agencies and shelters, et cetera, is because they don't have the capacity and knowledge to get ideas. So, you know, we've got people lining up around multiple city blocks to go to food banks right now, most food banks require ID. So they're necessary for life. They are, they can literally be life and death. And we've seen that more than once, but they are also a requirement to be able to change one circumstance. And then on top of that in a quite few States, you need an ID to be able to vote. And so if you don't have that identification, then you don't have the ability to exercise a basic fundamental rights.
Passionistas: This is also for us an obvious question. I mean, we need to get an ID. We need to know the real ID that's coming out. So we have to gather together our social security card and a electric bill and go to the DMV, but someone who's homeless and living on the streets, doesn't have an electric bill and doesn't maybe have access to the social security card. So how do you help them actually qualify to even get an ID?
Kat: So every state has very long lists of the types of documents that you can bring to the DMV. For most people, it's a mortgage or, or a, you know, uh, electric bill or whatever. And so those are sort of the top things on the list that most people go and get. However, there are a lot of other types of documents. And so it depends on the state and it depends on the person's situation. Um, but you know, we can frequently use a church or a shelter address, uh, to get, uh, to use for the DMV.
One great thing about voter registration is that a voter registration card counts as a proof of identity in most States. So we can use that. We have frequently had to chase down. We're constantly having to chase down records from the Department of Corrections or military records because we have a lot of veterans get IDs and they can't get the VA VA benefits without IDs, but they're veterans don't just get IDs. And so I'm depending sort of on that their background, or we, you know, track down sort of medical records or old school records or sort of whatever. So it, depending on the state and on the person situation, we go through the very long list of what documents are accepted by the DMV. And then we compare that with what the person has or what their history is. And so we figure out what it is we think we can get for them.
Passionistas: The amount of people on your team must have to be enormous. Can you talk about your team and how you've built that over the course of the last few years?
Kat: Yeah. I mean, we certainly need a ginormous team. I mean, we're lucky we have, we have a lot of really incredible volunteers and we have an online training program that they go through to get certified. I mean, I invented this certification, but I can't say, but they get trained to be able to work with our clients and get ideas. We have some field staff members in the, in some of our States who are incredible and sort of just get ideas full time, that's their job. And they do a really amazing job at that. And then we have a, you know, sort of small national team that helps with yeah, you know, our general counsel who is just constantly busy. I am, you know, and, and helping organize things. And our volunteer director, who's one person who's managing a risk, et cetera, volunteers.
We are mostly working with volunteers and mostly just working really hard to recruit and train and support our volunteers and, you know, 12 States with as many people as there are, there's always some adventure every day. There's a phone call with a new situation. Um, and so sort of dealing with all of that while also having, um, you know, we're lucky enough to have some field staff who are able to just everyday do this. We have some volunteers who've been with us since actually, since they helped us get our, the volunteers that helped us get our very first IDs in Virginia years ago are still with us and are now up to hundreds and are now probably the world's leading experts in getting ideas.
And then, you know, we have a field staff who I've gotten hundreds of ideas and I do it every day, um, et cetera. And so for the first year or a little under, if the first year I was our only employee, I sort of did everything. And then I'm just, you know, it's a nonprofit. So it's just all fundraising all the time. I was able to fundraise enough to start hiring staff and was able to bring in some great people. And then we sort of grew and built it out and sort of tried to figure out an experiment, like what makes the most sense as far as staffing and sort of just a lot of this sort of basic startup stuff of you, throw it out there, you figure it out. And I just ended up with this really great team.
Passionistas: Obviously the current state of voting rights issues is a little crazy. There's a lot going on. There's a big election coming up. So why is this issue important and why should people care about what's going on with voting rights right now?
Kat: Life is interesting right now. So there's a couple of things happening. The first is we have zero idea what life is going to look like in November. You know, hopefully I will be allowed to leave my house soon, or I might burn it down. I am, but you know, we don't know what the world is going to look like. And so a lot of us, I think most of us in this space are really trying to build out like 12 contingency plans. Everyone saw the disaster in Wisconsin, uh, forcing people to vote, uh, forcing them to vote in fewer polling places where now we, you know, they've had multiple, I think the last I saw was 19, but it's so highly contagious at that number will go up of COVID cases that are coming out of that situation.
And so everyone, I think, recognizes that regardless of what the world looks like in November and whether we're allowed back out, it's not going to be anything close to normal. We're still going to have to avoid gathering in large groups. And it's going to be very, very important to keep as many people away from the polling places as possible so that people who have to vote in person are able to. So there is a big movement right now towards vote by mail, which is fantastic. I vote by mail is by no means a panacea. It should not be the only option in any state. However, it should be part of a really great comprehensive voting package. And so the goal is to get all of the States that don't have vote by mail or easy vote by mail. A lot of States, you can do it if you are absentee with certain excuses, things like that, to open that up so that, um, anyone can vote by mail, which would significantly reduce the number of people that go to polling places and we'll have some increase on, on voter turnout as well.
So I think that's one thing that's really moving forward. The irony is that no state, well, there's a possible Kentucky exception, which I'll talk about, but the idea's not required when you vote by mail, which is ironic because the only type of voter fraud that exists in a very, very, very small percentage is by mail. However, fraud is used as the excuse to pass the ID laws of it's not. So, you know, that is one benefit to it. Kentucky just took time out of a pandemic to pass an even stricter voter ID law that they already had. And they are trying something new. They are trying to make people have to make a photocopy of their ID to send in with their vote by mail ballot, which I can't imagine standing in courts for one thing who owns a printer, nobody owns a printer.
I like the idea that this is a thing that could happen. I think it's bonkers. I might, but it is something that they're trying. So we'll see. But that is, I think that's a new thing in pretty much every other state, you don't have to show ID to vote by mail. There are other problems with vote by mail studies have shown over and over again, that people of color have their ballots thrown out at a much higher percentage than white voters. And so that is something that, you know, that's why a lot of people of color choose to vote in person, because there is no guarantee that if you vote, your ballot is ever actually going to be counted. I think that there are a lot of things that we can do to try to make that process more secure, but we're also in a global pandemic. And so for a lot of us, the choice will be vote by mail don't. I vote by mail every election because I don't believe in wearing pants when I'm voting. Like where my PJ's, I have a glass of wine. I can vote like vote pantsless. It's just, it's the only way to go.
So I think that's one big thing we're seeing. Another big thing we're seeing is trying to get young people to be poll workers, poll workers are traditionally heavily elderly ladies. My mother is always a poll worker. My mother is always one of the youngest people there and there, there are these wonderful, amazing, dedicated women who do this. And, and you know, a lot of men, there's a lot of older ladies and it is poor work hard. It's a miserable job. I always have to help my mother clean up and set up. And it's a very difficult thing that I think they go very under appreciated. But right now the exact population who we really need to stay inside and be protected is the population that usually works the polls.
And so there are now some efforts being made to really try to get younger people, to be trained, to work the polls. In many States, you get paid some amount of money in order to do it. You know, it's an important service and we really need a different demographic to come out and choose to do that. So there's an effort to recruit folks to do more of that. So I think that, that everyone is sort of trying to figure out there's also, this has really changed the way we do geo TV. I mean, normally, you know, normally my organization would be out getting IDs right now as I speak and we're not, I am. And so we're having to change the way we work and do work virtually and, you know, do more things if state agencies, you know, a jail that we're working with got 27 IDs last week because they can still do that. And so we're trying to do as much work as we can in the ways that we can.
This is right now at the time when voting rights organizations would be out talking to communities of color, low income communities and starting to, you know, not even starting, really being in the middle of the process of talking to people about voting because the get out the vote process is a very long process. It's not something you can just do an October. Um, and there are a lot of communities that don't have access to the internet or to phone. And so we, there's, it's a difficult thing to do right now. So everyone's trying to adapt and trying to figure out, okay, if we can all leave our houses in August, then that gives us, you know, two and a half months maybe to be able to like, get back on the streets and work. And what does that look like? So there are some efforts being made. There's also just a lot of contingency planning and there's some just sort of like, okay, well, we're going to do what we can now have been, wait and see what happens because we don't know what the world's going to look like in November,
Passionistas: We're Amy and Nancy Harrington and you're listening to the Passionistas Project Podcast and our interview with Kat Calvin. We're excited to announce the Kat will be moderating the panel "How far have we come in a 100 years? Making sure all women can vote" on Saturday, August 22nd during the Passionistas Project Women's Equality Summit. To register for free for the online event visit ThePassionistasProject.com. Visit, SpreadTheVote.org and ProjectID.org to learn more about the work Kat is doing. And be sure to tune in, to Vote! The Podcast with her cohost, Andrea Hayley, available wherever you get your podcasts. Now here's more of our interview with Kat.
So during these crazy times, what can the average person do to help you and your organization? And also just in terms of keeping focused on the election I had, what can we do do to help?
Kat: So you can go to SpreadTheVote.org/volunteer. Luckily all of our training is already online. So you can I'm if you live in one of our 12 States, which you can find on our website, you can get trained. We're going to have, we also already do all of our volunteer summits virtually, and we had one planned for this summer. So I, we are working very hard to build an even bigger volunteer army so that the day that we can get back on the streets, we can go out in full force and try to make up for some lost time. I also recommend, you know, I, I am, I am always going to, uh, preach in favor of local elections and say, stop paying attention to the iron throne. It really doesn't matter all that much local elections matter and state elections matter. And Congress matters and candidates are working very hard to make sure that there are virtual conflicts come up with virtual ways to campaign.
And, you know, we had some already text making and phone banking and things like that. They're coming up with creative ways, find some local candidates who you care about, like, who is your Senator? Who is your con your representative in Congress? Who are your state legislative representatives and work on supporting them and helping to get out the vote and particularly looking at and press them on, how are they working to reach communities of color and low income communities that they traditionally would either be reaching out to in person or frankly, most don't really pay attention to even when they should be, because they really need to be thinking about what that looks like, and they really need support. And I think there are a lot of people who think that they can't support candidates right now because they can't like go knock on doors or they can't have a texting party and you still can't. So that's really critical.
And then, you know, I always point people towards Indivisible, which is a fantastic organization, which has a lot of local. I think they have at least two chapters in every district in the country. It doesn't say please, working on finding really innovative and great ways for people to get involved, whether it's virtual, I now, or in person later. Everyone right now is trying very hard to figure out what to do and, and, you know, sort of switch methods as much as possible. And we really need people to help get involved, whether it's doing a lot right now, or whether it's prepping right now to be able to do a lot, the second we can get back on the ground.
Passionistas: Is there a particular trait that you think has helped you succeed?
Kat: Well, I mean, I guess, I mean, I could say perseverance is such a cliche, but it's true. I don't think you can't be a successful entrepreneur without it are probably successful. Anything else, but I've only ever been a successful entrepreneur, perseverance, like just knowing, all right, I'm doing this thing. It's important. I'm going to figure it out. I'm going to fail like 8,000 times and yeah, but that's fine. Like I'm gonna make it work, I think is really important. And so whether that's perseverance or a little bit of grit or both I think is, is really key because you will hit so many roadblocks and have so many tragedies and you know, like I, if I could burn just all of last year to the ground, I would, I am. And like, you just have to really just keep getting up every day,
“Frozen 2,” first of all, if you haven't watched Frozen 2,” turn this off, watch “Frozen 2” come back and finish this. It's incredible. It's not Disney+, which is the greatest thing to happen to 2020, which is a low bar, but still, but the best song in “Frozen 2,” it's "Into the Unknown." Sorry, I'll say it's actually "The Next Right Thing." And it is a sign. As soon as I heard it, I was like, “Oh my God, this is my life.” Because it's all about how, when everything is terrible, you just have to take one more step. If you just have to think, what is the next thing I'm supposed to do? And sometimes that's just like, get out of bed can be really hard. And that's when you are an entrepreneur, when you're trying to do something new or something no one's ever done before, it's going to be really difficult.
And you're going to have a lot of people tell you all of the reasons that you are an idiot and a failure, and this will never work. And you're a terrible person and you're wasting time or whatever. And, you know, things will get really hard. And if you can just do next right thing, just take the next steps. Send the next email. Send the next, you know, fundraising letter or whatever like that actually does get you through. Cause then you look back, if you did 10 things and now you're, you're at a better place. Um, and that, that I think is probably the biggest key to my like still being alive and still running this thing.
Passionistas: Is there a lesson that you've learned on your journey that really sticks with you?
Kat: And I think it's the other side of that. I was very afraid to go into this year because last year was so terrible. And then I was talking to someone and they were like, yeah, but you survived last year and you're here. And I was like, Oh, actually, that's true. If I survived that, I stupidly that I could survive anything, not knowing the apocalypse. I may not survive being stuck in my house for the rest of my life. But I'm, you know, I think that it's the constant lesson and this has been a big lesson just of my entire life. And like the older I get, the more that I learned this is like, things seem so terrible when you're on one side of it, particularly when you're young, like when I was in my teens and twenties, like one bad thing would happen and I thought it was the end of the world.
But then the older you get, you realize, Oh, actually I survived that. And I forgot about it. That thing that I thought was going to kill me six months ago, I don't even remember anymore. I am another thing I was obsessing about for weeks can't even remember that person's name. And so I think that, you know, and then the older you get and the more you do and the bigger risks you take and the more successful you are, the crashes are harder and they're still very frequent, but you get through them more quickly and more easily because you know, I'm going to get through this. I survived that last thing I can survive this. It's okay if I'm super obsessing about this today, because in three days, I know I won't be, you just have that perspective, which you can only get through just living and just failing and just trying things failing again.
It's like, you know, I, I love to run and workout and every run, well, not everyone is easier, but like six months, you know, I can do a run and, you know, like the 10 miles is way easier than I can think back, like, Oh my God, six months ago, like eight was really hard, you know? And it's the same thing with life experience. And I think that that makes you more willing to try big things. I'm and it also, it makes the inevitable failures a little easier because you know, you're going to get through it. You have before.
Passionistas: So what's the most rewarding part of your career?
Kat: Oh, the people who, uh, who we have good IDs and, you know, we get just every day, there's, you know, there's so many stories that come in of peoples whose lives have changed and people who didn't have IDs for sometimes six months sometimes, you know, I think the person who we helped get an ID who didn't have one the longest was 40 years and everything in between. And just knowing that every single day we're able to help someone get the thing that they need to change their lives, that they couldn't get on their own. And that was the big barrier between them living the lives that they, they want to live, that they hope to live, um, and stuck in the same place. So just getting to do that every day and getting to do that with a really amazing group of people, uh, is, is completely rewarding.
Passionistas: What's the biggest risk you have taken and how did it pay off?
Kat: Oh, definitely this, I quit my job and drove my car across the country with some money we raised on, uh, like me have some volunteers raised with a little crowdfunding campaign and was like, I'll just start a nonprofit if it works out. And I'll put all of this on my Amex and figure out how to pay it off later. Um, like that was, was, you know, I've taken a little risks, I've started other things, but this was by far the biggest risk. And I mean, I'm gonna knock on all the words so far has paid off. Like even, even if disaster strikes and we entered the greatest depression and you know, I have to shut all the doors and move under a bridge. I, you know, there are thousands and thousands of people who have IDs now whose lives were changed because of the work we did. And so that will always stand. So no matter what happens in the future, it is 100% worth everything had to go through because, you know, there's that person whose life was changed because of this.
Passionistas: What advice would you give to a young woman who wants to be an entrepreneur?
Kat: Don't go to law school. I could go back. I don't go to law school. Don't do anything that would have you acquire student loans. I, you don't need to go to that incredibly expensive school, go to the great, fantastic state school, state school that will either be less expensive or give you a full ride. So that's my first thing. Like student loans will kill you and it makes it much more difficult to be an entrepreneur. Sure. Also, I know there's a big trend towards trend. I mean, at this point, it's as old as I am, but you know, like being very young and starting a thing, but then there's a reason that we so often see those companies either have horrifically bad managers who torture their staffs or they're running Ponzi schemes, or they're feeling an ethic ways or, you know, going to prison. Sometimes I, you know, there is real value in learning from people who've been there before you, I learned, well, I have had some horrible jobs at places that people think are really great and are actually like insidious hell holes.
And I learned a lot there. And a lot of what I do is like things that I learned not to do and those corporations or those large nonprofits or whatever, but you just, you get so much experience everything that I am using that I used to build, Spread the Vote are lessons that I learned and things I learned how to do, or at least learned the basics of from previous jobs. And I think it's so important. And also, you know, I try to listen and learn from people who are older than me, as much as possible if I'm talking to an older person and they start a story with "during the war," like my whole day is canceled. I am staying there. I will keep buying these during the war. That is literally, I live for that. I've heard great stories from old men at bars about like stuff Vietnam.
And I'm sure 80% of it is a total lie and I don't care. You know, it's, it's so important, you know, um, we know always have people who are older than me, you know, working at the organization or as mentors or whatever. And you can just learn so much from people who've been there before you. And it even feels weird to me to say that, but there's this like such derision against anyone who's not like a 21 year old genius and there are no 21 year old geniuses. And so I think that really being sure you're learning and that you're giving yourself plenty of opportunities to figure out who you really are and what you really want to do. Um, and then that you're studying that space.
I get so many young people who want to talk to me about their businesses and, you know, say I spoke to a young woman, wants to, she wanted to start a business in fashion. And I mentioned something about Women's Wear Daily and she didn't know what it was. And it's like, well, you can't, you can't run an organization, a business and fashion. If you don't know, Women's Wear Daily, it's the like cornerstone fashion magazine. Right? And like, you have to do your research. You have to know the basics. If you're going into voting rights, read every book about voting rights, know the text of the voting rights act, know who came before you and what they've done. You know, we, I think we interviewed everybody that we could find for me, but Brendan center, it's a local organizations, as we were trying to figure out, what do people tried before? What has worked? Why has it worked? You know? And then we would come up with ideas and we'd call back, you know, some of the same people and say, what do you think about this?
And they'd say this is going to work. And that's a terrible idea. And this is why this has failed 85 times. And that's what help is get to a solution that worked. You have to do your homework and you have to be knowledgeable. Um, there's nothing cute or fun or interesting about being an entrepreneur who doesn't know their space and Google is free. So really you ha you have to know what you're doing are know the business you're getting into in order to be able to know what you're doing. And don't go to law school for the love of God.
Passionistas: Thanks for listening to the Passionistas Project Podcast and our interview with Kat Calvin. Visit SpreadTheVote.org and ProjectID.org to learn more about the work Kat is doing. And be sure to tune in, to Vote! The Podcast with her cohost, Andrea Hayley, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Don't forget to register for the Passionistas Project Women's Equality Summit to hear Kat's live panel "How far have we come in a 100 years? Making sure all women can vote" on Saturday, August 22nd. The summit is sponsored by Annette Kahler innovation and intellectual property attorney, LA Pride/Christopher Street West, Luna whole nutrition bars, the premium beverage company Tea Drops, TrizCom Public Relations and public speaking coaching company, ubu skills. To register for free for the online event visit ThePassionistasProject.com and be sure to subscribe to the Passionistas Project Podcast so you don't miss any of our upcoming inspiring guests.
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An All-Canadian Collaborative Synthetic Biology Project
July 20, 2017 PLOS Blogs Synthetic Biology
This blog was written by Daniela Quaglia, PhD, MBA
An interview with Prof. David McMillen
This is the second article of a series of three in which I will be speaking about Canadian initiatives in synthetic biology. In my previous post I talked about Amino Bio, a startup company ‘pioneering accessible bioengineering in the home and school’ (you can read about it here).
This time I want to tell you about an initiative of University of Toronto that I find very exciting: the synthetic biology innovation cluster (SynBio-IC), part of the Impact Centre. I had the pleasure of interviewing Prof. David McMillen for our community who walked me through their initiative, and explained how the establishment of SynBio-IC was of paramount importance to secure funding for their synthetic biology project through the prestigious Medicine by Design grant of the University of Toronto (a multi million dollar grant whose ultimate goal is to establish a leading centre in regenerative medicine at the University of Toronto).
Prof. McMillen, University of Toronto
The Impact Centre was created in 2013 with the principal aim to bring science to society by offering a contact point between academia and industry. The Impact Centre has created different clusters that focus on the development of a particular scientific field: ‘in 2013 we started a synthetic biology cluster as part of the Impact Centre,’ says Prof. McMillen. In the past few years the cluster has grown thanks to meetings held every six months or so in which both academics and companies participate: ‘The usual format is to have the industry people come in and talk about what they do, rather than asking them to link it to synthetic biology,’ explains McMillen. ‘Industry comes to us and tells us what problems they are facing, and we have a discussion about whether synthetic biology can help solve some of those problems.’
There are several advantages to the creation of the cluster: ‘the first of which is networking. For example, getting to know people in industry can help with situations where we want to write grant proposals together with an industrial partner. [The establishment of this cluster] has created a community where people are now comfortable with each other, comfortable to contact each other whenever they want to collaborate. We had a number of grant proposals that members of the cluster have written together, both academics and industrial members.’
But meetings are not the only initiative of the synthetic biology cluster, which has also organized a summer school for the past three years: ‘Funded by a Connaught grant [originally endowed through the discovery and development of insulin as a therapeutic at the University of Toronto], we managed to bring in people from all over the world by sponsoring them to come and join the summer schools.’
It is thanks in part to the creation of this collaborative network that Prof. McMillen and his collaborators were able to secure a Medicine by Design grant for their synthetic biology project. (Medicine by Design is a CFREF grant targeted at regenerative medicine, and now funds between 20 and 30 projects covering a range of approaches). ‘This was always the intent: by creating this small community we would start to know people, and we could get leverage when writing a proposal. Our Medicine by Design proposal, a synthetic biology flavored approach to regenerative medicine, is one of the most tangible outcomes so far.’ Prof. McMillen explains that their team is somewhat unusual in the Medicine by Design community, where most groups focus on human stem cells and tissue and organ engineering. ‘We are one of the few teams that are dealing with microbes,’ explains McMillen.
The synthetic biology project on which Prof. McMillen and colleagues are working aims to create a bacterium that can help trigger the renewal of the gut lining in people with chronic bowel diseases.
The synthetic biology project aims to create a bacterium that can help trigger the renewal of the gut lining in people with chronic bowel diseases. ‘We are trying to use bioinformatic progress to understand how we could use bacteria as a way to sense intestinal inflammation, and respond to it in ways that can mitigate the damage by locally producing therapeutics.’
Once again McMillen’s project is a true example of how collaborative the synthetic biology field is. He says: ‘we are a team of six faculty including myself, all coming from different backgrounds and disciplines.’ Furthermore, ‘Even though this was an internal call of the University of Toronto, we are collaborating with people abroad, including groups in France and Texas.’
But the Impact Centre is not only about networking: another of its big mandates is to facilitate the commercialization of science: ‘One of the things that the Impact Centre offers is entrepreneurship training to mostly graduate students or postdocs, and sometimes faculty. The Centre looks for people who are passionate about turning their science into a product that can make a difference (an impact, one might say) in the world. In general these potential scientist-entrepreneurs don’t have the kind of training that would enable them to get started on creating a company to commercialize their knowledge, so the Impact Centre’s Techno program offers them crash courses in things like market research, product development, IP law, and so on. At present, we have seen over 130 start-ups coming out from the Impact Centre’s training program.’
When asked about the future of the synthetic biology field in Canada McMillen says: ‘The future of the field, especially in Canada, is a bit tricky. It has great potential, and we’re starting to see the first real commercial successes, but to date it has been a challenge to get it onto the radar of the Canadian government. One way is to have tangible successes you can point to when making an argument for more investment. We are trying to get more stories out there.’ I agree with McMillen when he states that ‘it’s better to make positive but realistic claims than to give in to the temptation to over-hype.”
‘Our project is an illustration of how difficult it is to get highly collaborative synthetic biology project funded. Several of us [the people involved in the project] had never worked together at all and probably never would have because we come from very different fields. With five or six different disciplines involved in the same project, it is hard to understand where to go and get the funds. It is a great opportunity to have the chance to work on this project and a success would also mean a chance to convince other funding agency to invest in similar multidisciplinary projects.’
Impact centre logo (www.impactcentre.ca)
The University of Toronto Impact Centre is a great example of how we should be doing science: it brings together people from the most disparate fields, it connects them, it lets them share ideas and encourages to look for unconventional solutions. I wish McMillen and his team every success in their project, as this would set a great example of collaborative synthetic biology project and hopefully convince people in Canada and all over the world to adopt the same strategy.
Synthetic Biology Open science has roots in the synthetic biology community, but we can do better
October 23, 2019 By PLOS Blogs
It’s Open Access Week! Openness is a very important aspect of synthetic biology, but is the community doing enough to embrace…
Synthetic Biology GM mosquitoes for insect population control: when speculative conclusions meet hyped journalism
A recent study published in Scientific Reports studied the aftermath of an insect population control experiment in Brazil. The study’s conclusions…
Synthetic Biology Building a CO2-concentrating mechanism
September 2, 2019 By PLOS Blogs
Guest post by Steven Burgess Researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh, York, Cambridge and Princeton have demonstrated a key step…
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$350M mixed-use Bronx project to break ground
Compass Residences will be the borough's largest private real estate project ever
Jan.January 22, 2014 04:20 PM
A new ten-building residential development in Crotona Park East in the Bronx — the largest private real estate project in the borough to date — kicks off construction Thursday.
The Compass Residences, a 1,300-unit affordable housing development on the corner of 172nd Street and Boone Avenue, is being developed by a group that includes Signature Urban Properties, GTIS Partners, MBD Housing and Monadnock Construction, according to a release from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The first phase, which kicks off Thursday, will create 237 units of affordable apartments on the industrial site. The entire project should be finished by 2019.
The project is rising in an area that is currently made of derelict warehouses, according to previous reports. Rezoned from industrial to mixed use in 2011, the area now permits buildings up to 15 stories.
The estimated total cost for the site, which will also contain 46,000 square feet of retail space, is estimated to be around $350 million. — Julie Strickland
signature urban properties
$350 million mixed-use Bronx development set to break ground
Former speaker’s 10-building Bronx development could break ground by early next year
$350 million mixed-use Bronx project gets green light
Gifford Miller’s Bronx development project to go before City Planning
Development group seeks to build 10 new Bronx high-rises
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Home › Incredible Bongo Band
Incredible Bongo Band
Incredible Bongo Band was the brain child of prolific film and record producer Michael Viner, put together in 1972 to supplement the soundtrack to the virtually anonymous B-Movie film The Thing With Two Heads. They went from a loose studio collective to an instrumental pop covers consortium, interpreting classics of the day in their own inimitable percussion-heavy fashion. Viner recorded 'The Incredible Bongo Band' at MGM studios during down time assembling line-ups from whoever was available at the time.
Apache, originally made famous by The Shadows, is simply legendary in the worlds of dance music and hip hop. One of the most sampled tracks of all time it has been used by Nas, Beastie Boys, Moby, Kanye West, Sugarhill Gang, Jay-Z, Aphex Twin, DJ Shadow, Goldie, Double Dee & Steinski, Faith Evans, Ultramagnetic MC’s, Leaders Of The New School, UNKLE, IBM Nation and DJ Spinna, The Bizzie Boyz, Schoolly D, LL Cool J, 2 Live Crew, 4 Hero, Godfather Don, Diamond D, Luke Vibert, Sway & King Tech, Rebel MC, to name a few...
Apache was a staple for the likes of Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash as they invented the art of DJing at the Bronx block parties of the ‘70s. Over the years it has become a hip hop and breakers anthem and is revered as the break of all original breaks, with the rhythms of this LP even helping to coin the term 'breakbeat'.
For Incredible Bongo Band licensing and synchronisation enquiries you can contact Mr Bongo HERE.
Bongo Rock – Vinyl LP
Apache/Bongo Rock – 7" Vinyl
Bongo Rock – CD
The Riot / Ohkey Dokey – 7" Vinyl
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USOS Contact
University of Bialystok
Study with us!
Admission rules and documents
IRK instruction
NON-DEGREE STUDIES
Vice-Rector for research and international cooperation
Vice-Rector for student affairs
Vice-Rector for education
Vice-Rector for development
Faculty of Economics and Finance
Faculty of Philology
Faculty of History and International Relations
Branch of University of Bialystok in Vilnius
College of Linguistics
College of Literary Studies
Faculty of Biology and Chemistry
Faculty of Economics and Management
Faculty of History and Sociology
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Research projects list
The University of Bialystok was established in 1997 from the Branch of Warsaw University after 29 years of its existence. Today UwB is one of the largest and strongest academic centers in North-Eastern Poland due to its scientific standards and potential.
The University consists of nine faculties, including one located abroad in Vilnius. Classes and lectures are delivered by app. 850 academic teacher (nearly 200 are independent research scholars). At present the University educates app. 17.000 students in almost 30 fields of study. It offers about 100 different postgraduate courses. The student movement is thriving: there are about 70 student research clubs at the University.
PhD degree studies are carried out within five University units:the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics and Management, the Faculty of Philology, the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry and the Faculty of History and Sociology. UwB is entitled to confer 10 university degrees of doctor and 4 postdoctoral degrees (doktor habilitowany).
The region’s unique nature and cultural diversity, which attracts scientific studies, are applied to science research carried out at the University.
The University cooperates with institutions of higher education abroad within the frames of almost 50 agreements for scientific cooperation in Erasmus+ . Thanks to inter-university and international cooperation the UwB students take part in professional internship trainings abroad.
The University has awarded Honoris Causa Doctorate Degree to ten outstanding persons for their immense scientific, social and political achievements: Prof. Brunon Hołyst, Prof. Jerzy Wilkin, President of Poland in Exile - Ryszard Kaczorowski, a founder of Paris “Culture” – Jerzy Giedroyć, Prof. Andrzej Stelmachowski, Prof. Andrzej Wyczański, Orthodox Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland - Archbishop Prof. Sawa (Hrycuniak), Prof. Marcel Morabito, Archbishop Metropolitan of Bialystok - Prof. Edward Ozorowski, and Prof. Keiichi Yamanaka.
The University of Bialystok is continually developing and improving its facilities to provide the best possible conditions to study and research. It may be proved, inter alia, by the university investments: new lecture hall at the Faculty of Law, new sports hall, the University Computing Centre and educational building for the needs of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics. The largest investment in the history of the university was the construction of the University Campus at Ciołkowskiego street in Bialystok.
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The Rotaract Club of Vancouver-UBC
Feyannie Hung, President of UBC Roteract club
ABOUT Who We Are The Rotaract Club of Vancouver-UBC is a group of globally connected youth who cultivate relationships and leadership skills through community service. We engage in a wide range of hands-on service projects, fun networking and social activities, and professional development opportunities. As a member of the Rotaract organization, we are a part of an international network of 175,000 young leaders belonging to over 7,500 clubs in 156 countries. We are part of Rotaract District 5040, a dynamic group of 8 clubs around British Columbia full of youth passionate about leadership development, community service, and bringing peace and international understanding to the world. What We Do Rotaract is a club for adults ages 18-30 who are passionate about community service, philanthropy, leadership development, and furthering international understanding to the world. Our club is involved in multiple community service and fundraising initiatives every year, from bake sales to international service trips! We focus on helping out in our community – the beautiful city of Vancouver – but also participate in an annual international initiative in a different country each year.
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Gotta dash! Mila Kunis looks to be in a hurry as she runs errands in white blouse and cropped black slacks in LA
By admin On Oct 11, 2019
Around 5:30 each morning, President Trump wakes and tunes into the television in the White House’s master bedroom. He flips to CNN for news, moves to “Fox & Friends” for comfort and messaging ideas, friends suspect, it fires him up for the day.
Energized, infuriated — often a gumbo of both — Mr. Trump grabs his iPhone. Sometimes he tweets while propped on his pillow, according to aides. Other times he tweets from the den next door, watching another television. Less frequently, he makes his way up the hall to the ornate Treaty Room, sometimes dressed for the day, sometimes still in night clothes, where he begins his official and unofficial calls.
As he ends his first year in office, Mr. Trump is redefining what it means to be president. He sees the highest office in the land much as he did the night of his stunning victory over Hillary Clinton — as a prize he must fight to protect every waking moment, and Twitter is his Excalibur. Despite all his bluster, he views himself less as a titan dominating the world stage than a maligned outsider engaged in a struggle to be taken seriously, according to interviews with 60 advisers, associates, friends and members of Congress.
[bs-quote quote=”What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate.” style=”style-14″ align=”left” author_name=”Donald Trump” author_job=”45th U.S. President” author_avatar=”http://visionnews24.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/newspaper-quote-avatar.png”]
For other presidents, every day is a test of how to lead a country, not just a faction, balancing competing interests. For Mr. Trump, every day is an hour-by-hour battle for self-preservation. He still relitigates last year’s election, convinced that the by Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, into Russia’s interference is a plot to delegitimize him. Color-coded maps highlighting the counties he won were hung on the White House walls.
“He feels like there’s an effort to undermine his election and that collusion allegations are unfounded,” said Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina who has spent more time with the president than most lawmakers. “He believes passionately that the liberal left and the media are out to destroy him. The way he got here is fighting back and counterpunching.
Bracing and refreshing to his alienated-from-the-system political base, Mr. Trump’s uninhibited approach seems erratic to many veterans of both parties in the capital and beyond. Some politicians and pundits lament the instability and, even without medical degrees, feel no compunction about publicly diagnosing various mental maladies.
In recent weeks, the president made a derogatory reference to Native Americans in front of Navajo guests, insinuated that a television host was involved in the death of an aide and prompted an international incident with Britain by retweeting inflammatory anti-Muslim videos.
His approach got him to the White House, Mr. Trump reasons, so it must be the right one. He is more un popular than any of his modern predecessors at this point in his tenure — just 32 percent approved of his
performance in the latest Pew Research Center poll — yet he dominates the landscape like no other. After months of legislative failures, Mr. Trump is on the verge of finally prevailing in his efforts to cut taxes and reverse part of his predecessor’s health care program. While much of what he has promised remains undone, he has made significant progress in his goal of rolling back business and environmental regulations. The growing economy he inherited continues to improve.
In the jargon of the military, John F. Kelly, a retired four-star general, served as a “wagon boss” for Marines crashing into Iraq in 2003, keeping his column moving forward despite incoming fire. As White House chief of staff, Mr. Kelly has adopted much the same approach, laboring 14-hour days to impose discipline on a chaotic operation — with mixed success.
In the months before Mr. Kelly took over last summer from his embattled predecessor, Reince Priebus, the Oval Office had a rush-hour feel, with a constant stream of aides and visitors stopping by to offer advice or kibitz. During one April meeting with New York Times reporters, no fewer than 20 people wandered in and out — including Mr. Priebus, who walked in with Vice President Mike Pence. The door to the Oval Office is now mostly closed.
What Bill Clinton’s Impeachment Tells Us About the Sexual Harassment Case Against Donald Trump
What Ever Did Trump Mean When He Tweeted That Kirsten Gillibrand “Would Do Anything” for Campaign Donations?
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‘It’s a secret!’: Pregnant Christina Perri and hubby Paul Costabile…
Let it snow! Nina Agdal dons white lace dress while attending Winter Wonderland Ball…
She’s a knockout! Kyly Clarke flaunts her toned physique in a sports bra and…
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Export of minke whale products - risk to the species
Alien Organisms and trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
Ordered: 28.01.2019
Report no: 2019:10
Download the full report arrow_downward
Observations of minke whales over the past 20 years indicate that the population has remained relatively stable. The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) concludes that Norwegian export of minke whale does not appear to have been detrimental to the minke population. The conclusion is uncertain due to lack of essential data.
The Norwegian Environment Agency commissioned the assessment.
To predict minke whale population development is complicated by a variety of factors. Minke whales are a long-lived, have few offspring and they are difficult to observe.
- We are missing fundamental knowledge related to minke whale migration, where they spend their winter, threats and causes of death. We know very little about distributional patterns and genetics. It is highly uncertain how environmental changes in the Arctic will affect the minke whale population, says Eli K. Rueness, chair of the working group.
- Whether or not we are able to maintain the conclusion in subsequent years will depend on to what extent data gaps and related uncertainties are dealt with, she says.
VKM has reviewed available data on biology and development of the minke whale population in the waters managed for whaling by Norway. VKM has scrutinized the methods used for whale monitoring. These are the methods underlying minke whale population size estimates, which in turn are used for calculating harvest quotas.
VKM has summarized the most important threats to minke whale survival, as well as previous and current management practices.
Using the collected information, VKM assessed the possibilities of predicting future population trends for the Atlantic Sea minke whale population.
In 1982, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) decided to pause all commercial whaling (known as the moratorium on commercial whaling). Subsequently, the minke whale was also subject to the strictest level of protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). As a result, all commercial trade in minke whale products is prohibited. Norway holds a reservation against the IWC moratorium and the CITES listing of minke whale and issue an annual harvest quota.
VKMs Panel on alien organisms and trade in endangered species has assessed and approved the opinion.
VKM-The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment
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vida en el camino
Don and Deborah's travel blog
dispatches from the end of time
pintada de la plantilla
remains of the roman empire
Posted on October 23, 2017 by deborahdon
Croatia is a new travel destination, perhaps in-part thanks to the ancient palaces and forts that attracted the producers of Game of Thrones and several movies including the upcoming release that continues the Star Wars franchise. But it has a lot going for it — mountains, sandy beaches, relatively low cost transportation options, and a keen interest in attracting tourists. We had a chance to sample bits and pieces — the inland city of Zagreb, the islands down the coast, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, and inside and outside the walled city of Dubrovnik.
Our stop in Zagreb was just one dark rainy night, so other than a couple of hours spent in a very old, very smoky bar (not much else was open on a Sunday night!), we didn’t get to fully appreciate the city. But it was the jumping off point for heading to Brac Island (pronounced ‘bratch’) and the small coastal community of Bol. This is a small town that is working the fine line between maintaining it’s sense of community while welcoming tourists visiting by boat for the day or staying for days and weeks at a time. It is perhaps lucky that the docks cannot handle the huge cruise ships that seem to draw the ire of others throughout the Mediterranean.
We’ve been using AirBnb to connect with hosts this trip, and we connected with a great host for our three-week stay in Bol. He picked us up at the airport, showed us where to find groceries and meals around town, and left a fridge full of food to get us started (including a bottle of local brandy!). We walked to the famous Zlatni Rat beach, the most commercialized stretch of sand on the island, but we spent most of our sun-time on a small beach just out of town in the other direction. We also visited one of dozens of military “caves” — huge disguised caverns that were carved out of seaside mountains to hide submarines and small naval vessels during the Second World War. Now mostly used of fisher(men) as a place to tie their boats and mend their nets.
From Bol we were able to explore some of the other islands in the area; Hvar Town on Hvar Island would be worth a return trip some time. It has an ancient hilltop fortification and many other old buildings that would be interesting to explore further.
Okay, now to Game of Thrones. We have not watched this series, but we know many friends and family members do, and to them we say, yes, head for Croatia! Start in Split, the location of Diocletian’s Palace — originally the retirement residence for Roman emperor Diocletian circa 305 AD and best known to GoT fans for a number of important scenes, especially it’s massive cellars (the photo above) — apparently this is where the dragons are kept.
But the real GoT treasure trove is Dubrovnik. This is an amazingly well preserved (and carefully restored following the “Homeland War”) walled city, and the site of many, many scenes in recent seasons. When we wandered within the walls, and over to Fort Lawrence, we encountered many Game of Thrones walking tours — and all the tour guides had photos from the series they could relate to where they were standing, and it was fun to listen in from time to time. “Here’s where the walk of shame scene was filmed”, “This is where the Battle of Blackwater was shot”, replete with references to the house of the undying, Red Fort, and so on. This is Kings’ Landing in person!
Even without the Game of Thrones, it was so much fun to walk the entire 2km along the top of the old walls, and look down on the city inside and the sea and city outside. It was also exciting to take one of Europe’s oldest cable car routes (new cars and cables we were told) to the top of the hill overlooking the walled city and beyond. Near the station at the top is Fort Imperial, originally built for Napoleon when the French held this territory, now a museum describing local resistance to Serbian attacks in 1991 and 1992. Sad to see how destructive humanity can be when there is so much to share and celebrate. Shame on warmongers!
Our favourite little cove near Bol on Brac Island. Stunningly clear water!
A portion of the original wall and a tower, Diocletian’s Palace in Split.
View of Dubrovnik from the top of Srd Mountain.
These steps are often featured in Game of Thrones.
This entry was posted in general posts and tagged Bol, Brac, Croatia, Diocletian’s Palace, Dubrovnik, Game of Thrones, Split by deborahdon. Bookmark the permalink.
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The worst thing to talk about during the holidays is not politics
Linley SandersData Journalist
LifestyleRealTime Research
November 11, 2019, 2:30 PM UTC
A quarter of Millennials (25%) are feeling anxious about the prospect of talking politics at the upcoming holidays—but that is not their greatest concern. More are worried about having to discuss their personal life.
A YouGov survey conducted in late September shows that more than politics, Millennials express the most anxiety about the possibility of family members asking about their personal lives. More than a third of Millennials (35%) and one in five (21%) Gen Xers are “very anxious” or “somewhat anxious” about the possibility of this becoming a holiday talking point.
Feel free to ask your grandfather or the nearest Boomer about his or her personal life, though. Just 11 percent of Baby Boomers say this causes any anxiety, while a majority (66%) are “not anxious at all.”
Similarly, one-third of Millennials (34%) shared some level of anxiety about their careers becoming a topic of holiday conversation. That’s more than double the number of Gen Xers (16%) and six times the number of Baby Boomers (5%) who dread being asked employment-related questions.
Politics doesn’t cause the most dread, but the topic carries its share of anxiety. A quarter of Millennials (25%), 16 percent of Generation X, and 13 percent of Baby Boomers are at least somewhat worried about it. Politics ranks among the top three reasons that Americans believe could lead to a family argument this season.
One-third of Millennials (34%) think there could be a family fight this holiday season. Just one in five Gen Xers (21%)and 16 percent of Baby Boomers think it’s likely their family will have an argument during the holiday season. Among those who think there will be a family argument, the most likely reasons cited were long-standing family tensions (46%), general politics (37%), the 2020 presidential race (33%), or money (24%).
Democrats are slightly more anxious (25%) than Republicans (15%), and independents (17%) about the prospect of politics entering holiday conversation. Despite that, a strong majority of each political party says they are “not very anxious” or “not anxious at all” about it. A majority of Democrats (56%), Republicans (54%), and Independents (52%) say that they are “very comfortable” or “somewhat comfortable” verbalizing disagreement if a family member expresses a political opinion they oppose.
Related: These are America’s Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Methodology: Total unweighted sample size was 1,310 US adults, which included 412 Millennials, 332 Gen Xers, and 442 Baby Boomers. The unweighted sample size also included 504 Democrats, 324 Republicans, and 333 Independents. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (ages 18+). Interviews were conducted online between September 25 - 26, 2019.
RealTime Research
The YouGov Omnibus is the perfect vehicle to quickly and cost-effectively find out people’s opinions, attitudes and behaviours. Omnibus is a shared cost, multi-client approach to survey research.
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TOK Magazine
Read the future
About this Magazine
Diaspora Dialogues is Thrilled to be Partnering with Guelph CW MFA
by Tiara
Diaspora Dialogues is delighted to announce that we are partnering with the University of Guelph’s Creative Writing MFA program. UofG will be coming on as a sponsor for DD.
This years TOK Toronto Symposium will have two exciting masterclasses taught by staff from the UofG.
On September 25th, the Masterclass In Fiction and Writing For Theatre development sessions will be led by Catherine Bush and Judith Thompson.
Catherine Bush is the author of five novels, including the Canada Reads long-listed Accusation (2013), the Trillium Award short-listed Claire’s Head (2004), and the national bestselling The Rules of Engagement (FSG, 2000), a New York Times Notable Book and an L.A. Times Best Book of the Year. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Guelph and Coordinator of the Guelph Creative Writing MFA, based in Toronto.
Judith Thompson is a playwright, director, actor, artistic director (RARE Theatre Company), and professor of theatre at the University of Guelph. She is the author of 15 published plays, many of which are performed all over the world. They include The Crackwalker, Lion in the Streets, Perfect Pie, and Palace of the End. She has directed and co-created five plays with artists with exceptionalities including Body and Soul, Sick, RARE, Borne and Wildfire.
The MFA Program is located in Toronto and offers workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction, drama and poetry. Defining characteristics include innovative plenary courses, a semester-long mentorship with a professional writer, and the opportunity to design and teach creative writing workshops.
The program is currently accepting applicants 2021 applications. Interested writers can review admission requirements and apply by December 7, 2020.
Diaspora Dialogues looks forward to the future of this partnership and the exciting things it will bring for everyone in our communities!
View Tiara’s author profile.
Read the archive
Detail from Massey Hall, by Kinnon Elliott
TOK Magazine is a project of Diaspora Dialogues, which supports the creation and presentation of new writing that reflects the rich diversity of modern, urban life.
© 2021 Diaspora Dialogues Charitable Society
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Associate Professor Sheara Williams Jennings Appointed to City of Houston's Health Equity Response Task Force
(HOUSTON, TX) - Associate Professor Sheara Williams Jennings has been appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner to serve on the City of Houston's Health Equity Response (HER) Task Force to address the disproportionate amount of African-Americans dying from COVID-19 and provide the most impacted communities with additional information, supplies, and services.
The City of Houston's Health Equity Response Task Force was established with the goal of addressing "all factors that have affected under-resourced communities that are most vulnerable to COVID-19 and are most in need of a more-targeted rapid response."
Dr. Sheara Williams Jennings' area of research has largely focused on the family structure of minority groups (African-American and Hispanic) and its effect on children's well-being, education, health, and development.
We recently asked Dr. Jennings to share more about the importance of her work and why the inclusion of social workers is crucial to the development and implementation of public health policy.
Name: Dr. Sheara Jennings
Title: Associate Professor
What are some of the primary issues the Health Equity Response (HER) Task Force is seeking to address?
From my perspective, a primary issue being addressed by this task force is the disproportional and severe impacts of COVID-19 on communities of color. A key driving force that I believe can save lives is the task force’s commitment to identify and actually assist our most vulnerable communities and residents. This is a task-driven and action-oriented task force whose members are leveraging their expertise, community networks, and passion to manage and counter the impact of COVID-19 on those who are most vulnerable.
What are some of the short-term and long-term goals of the HER Task Force?
Because of the sense of urgency, the context of the HER Task Force is a rapid response; therefore, we are working within a 6-month timeline and our work has already begun.
The HER Task Force is comprised of 6 subcommittees: medical care, public health education, technology access, faith-based and community leaders, marketing/communications, and data/metrics. In my opinion, this structure allows for a comprehensive approach that is driven by science, data, inclusion, compassion, and cultural competence.
Some immediate goals include a community-based, grassroots approach to provide our most impacted and vulnerable communities with essentials such as medical care, food, masks, sanitizer, disinfectant and public health education about critical topics such as the importance of wearing masks, proper handwashing techniques, social distancing, and facts about the virus while also dispelling myths and inaccurate information.
Why do you think it is important for social workers to have a seat at the table when addressing issues faced by historically disadvantaged communities?
The core values and ethical principles of the social work profession speak to the importance of our seat at this table. Our profession has a long-standing commitment to addressing issues of inequality, discrimination, poverty, and other forms of social injustice that are at the core of what continues to disadvantage and oppress certain communities. It is with this insight and understanding that we offer to apply our values of service and social justice to helping those in need, addressing social problems, and pursuing social change, particularly for those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable. It is our responsibility to keep these points at the forefront of any initiative.
What are some actions that we, as a city, are able to do to assist those who are impacted by the unequal distribution of health care services?
Bring attention to the inequities and refute victim-blaming
Make health care services accessible – one of many strategies is to actually bring health care professionals to communities in need
Advocate for, secure and distribute needed resources
Empower through education – we can amplify our messaging through multiple platforms including TV, radio, churches, social media, and printed materials.
Remembering that communities of color are not monolithic, our engagement efforts should be diverse and culturally appropriate.
How has COVID-19 increased already existing health disparities within communities of color in Houston?
This is a complex question. One overarching reality is that COVID-19 has further exposed and exacerbated health disparities experienced within communities of color. Intersections of race, discrimination, stigma, economic inequality and chronic health conditions with COVID-19 have caused further harm to communities and individuals who are already marginalized.
Why do you believe it is important for the City of Houston and governmental agencies to address some of the challenges faced by communities of color during the pandemic?
I believe the City of Houston is demonstrating leadership, innovation, and compassion in its efforts to address many of the challenges faced by communities of color during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its efforts demonstrate value and respect for the lives of all residents.
As one of the largest cities in the U.S., Houston is also racially and ethnically diverse. While some of its communities may be vulnerable, members of those same communities make key contributions to the city, for example as frontline and essential workers in a range of industries that touch and serve large numbers. If our city and governmental agencies do not address challenges faced by some of our communities, many more of our communities will suffer. To be clear, COVID-19 is not just a problem for minorities. It impacts people of all races, ages, and socioeconomic levels and is caused by a highly contagious virus. The HER Task Force is responding to the fact that the burden of COVID-19 has been greater for vulnerable individuals and under-resourced communities.
How do you believe this the task force fits in with the mission of social justice?
Perfectly….The Task Force was created in the spirit of addressing issues of injustice by not only acknowledging the disproportional impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable individuals and groups but by also taking a strategic set of actions to manage and minimize such negative effects. Such actions are guided by professionals who care about and have experience working with vulnerable communities and communities of color. The ideals of social justice are rooted in human rights, equality and access. By providing needed resources, services, and information to vulnerable communities and individuals in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this task force is working to achieve social justice and address inequities.
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Denise Delgado Emerges Victorious in Coachella
Posted by Cindy Uken | Dec 8, 2020 | News, Politics
Denise Delgado Secures Seat on Coachella City Council
COACHELLA — Denise Delgado, a native of this working-class community of about 46, 813 people, emerged the top vote-getter in a four-person race for two seats on the City Council in the Nov. 3 race. She handily secured a four-year term. She will be sworn into office on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
The only woman in a race that has been described as a group of good ol’ boys, Delgado garnered 4,566 votes, according to the official vote count from the Riverside County Registrar of voters. The next highest vote-getter was Neftali Galarza who netted 3,673 votes yo also win a seat on the City Council.
The two political newcomers unseated two incumbents Emmanuel Martinez, who received 3,625 votes, and Philip Bautista, who garnered 1,771.
While Democratic Women of the Desert attempted to discredit her through attack ads and others defaced campaign literature, Delgado stayed laser focused on her goal of wanting to serve the residents. She refused to get in a political mud fight even though the attacks stung. One in particular was a piece of campaign literature that was was distributed in which her name was crossed out making it appear as though her name was not on the ballot.
Delgado was not the only woman to come under attack this election cycle. So did Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem Christy Holstege, who went on to win re-election, and Lesly Fiigueroa, a candidate for mayor of Coachella. Figueroa was unsuccessful in her quest for office.
In the aftermath of the blistering attacks and sweet victory, Delgado agreed to a phone interview with Uken Report. Following is the interview,
Uken Report (UR): To what do you attribute your victory?
Denise Delgado: I think it’s a lot of things. Anytime that anybody runs a campaign, there’s so many components to it. One is that I had incredible amount of support from my family, and I had a lot of support from the community, from the small business community. In the City of Coachella, we have a big presence of recreational sports. These and a lot of individuals who are highly engaged also really came out in support of our campaign as well. And then we were highly endorsed by many organizations. And luckily, that helped with having funds at our disposal to be able to pay for literature, mailers, text messages, and many other things. So I think it was a collective basically of all these different components in the campaign that I think that we were ultimately successful.
UR: As you know, some members of the Coachella City Council, many of them have worked together for years. How do you plan to break into that and become part of the family. so to speak?
Denise Delgado: First, I would like to say that before anything else I represent the community. I represent the Coachella community, I represent Coachella residents, and I also represent Coachella stakeholders because we do have a lot of people who invest in the City of Coachella and may not live in the City of Coachella, but they invest or they have small businesses there. My responsibility is to them first and I hope that my colleagues on the Council see that the residents are who we are supposed to be working for. And that ultimately we work together professionally and efficiently to make sure that our city staff has the support that they need to be able to provide the quality services that Coachella residents deserve.
UR: What is the first thing you want to do after being sworn in as a member of the city council? What is one issue you want to address?
Denise Delgado: There are so many issues that I heard from residents while I was campaigning. It’s hard to pinpoint one, especially when we’re just going through our third (COVID-19 shutdown. And once again, things shift, we have a lot of not only residents, but small businesses who are depending on us as local leaders to make sure that we’re communicating all the guidelines and restrictions that are in place so that they can follow them in a timely manner. And we also have residents who we need to ensure that they really are following the health guidelines. This is very serious. People are losing their lives, people are losing their jobs. I’ve seen firsthand where individuals, residents are in food assistance lines for three hours. So, I would say that one of my first issues is making sure that we’re communicating as much as possible with city residents and stakeholders to make sure that not only do they feel supported, but that they don’t feel that they’re being ignored during this time.
UR: Has anyone from the Coachella City Council called to congratulate you?
Denise Delgado: The mayor reached out and congratulated me as well as council woman Megan Beaman-Jacinto. They both did.
UR: I know that you were the subject of at least one attack ad. I know some of your campaign literature was vandalized and your name crossed out on some of that. How did you get through your campaign with the negativity that you were facing?
Denise Delgado: First of all, anybody who decides to run for office, it is an enormous amount of work. And to have to then face these types of challenges in addition to everything that you already have to go through was extremely disappointing. It was also hurtful that it came from the Coachella community. I think that we’re better than that. I think that we shouldn’t have to resort to those types of methods to discourage or to try to discredit and to really just disrespect one another. It was hurtful to my family. When I’m running for the first time and my name is on a piece of literature, then at that time with a candidate who’s running for president and Kamala Harris, that’s very exciting. And to see my name crossed out was definitely hurtful to family members to see that.
It was just disappointing to see people resort to those types of methods. We’re better than that and how we treat each other matters. I strongly believe that not only do we have to respect one another, but that we’re also being looked at. People are watching how we behave, how we lead. It matters. And so I hope that in the future, that those types of methods are no longer used. When I was attacked in those ways, I never responded. I never responded for several reasons.
One, is I didn’t think it was fair to Coachella residents to have to see candidates going back and forth. I think it’s silly and I think it’s just extremely unprofessional and it takes the time away from them as to other things that they need. And the second part of that as well is that we want people to run for office. I want to see people run for office. And when you’re using these types of methods, it discourages people from running and that’s the last thing that we want.
UR: Is there anything that you would like to add?
Denise Delgado: I have a lot of work cut out for me, a lot of work. I’ve started meeting with the executive team last week and I met with other executive team members this week. And just to get updated on projects, pending developments, upcoming developments, finances. There’s a great deal of responsibility that comes with this position and I take it very seriously. I want the community to know that I’ve already started working and that I’m going to continue to work and that I have an open door policy and I can’t wait to hear from them more.
Denise Delgado: Denise Delgado
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#164 Surviving Boarding School: The trauma at the core of the British & Commonwealth Pysche – Nick Duffell
Listen to this episode of WA Real and leave your comment. (01:25:23)
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This week, I on a personal journey and deep dive into Boarding School Syndrome with one of the world’s leading experts, Nick Duffell.
Whether you, or a loved one, attended boarding school or not, there is a lot to take on board and consider in this conversation.
Because to understand boarding school survivorship is to understand:
one of the core fundamental elements of the British psyche that also spreads across what was the Empire and is now a Commonwealth
a very clean example of early developmental trauma and the defence mechanism of splitting to create a survival self-survival personality away from what Nick refers to as our inner indigenous or natural self.
In this conversation we cover:
Reconciling the concept of linking ‘trauma’ with the privilege of a private education
The mechanics and dynamics of boarding schools school syndrome and how that’s plays out in creating a Strategic Survivor Personality
How that plays out as the ex-boarder then goes out into the world.
The inevitable collapse of the Strategic Survivor Personality that has been created by a very young child
The process of normalisation that perpetuates this cycle
From this, we then go further into the wider implications on the British psyche, and leadership and culture and how that spread across the world.
As said above, there is a lot to learn from this conversation; even more if you yourself were a boarder and there’s aspects of how you ‘do life’ that you still struggle to truly understand.
This week, I went another deep dive into a particular area boarding school syndrome with one of the world’s leading experts, Nick Duffell.
Now, at this point for many it would be you’ve either been to boarding school had a brother or sister, or been a parent of somebody who’s been to boarding school. Or this might be something just completely foreign and alien to you. And you think what, why would I be interested in this?
But as we found in this podcast to understand boarding school syndrome or boarding school, survivorship is to understand one of the core fundamental elements of the British psyche. And when I say the British psyche that also spreads across what was the Empire and is now a Commonwealth and so has a significant impact upon a lot of the world that we see today.
To understand boarding school syndrome is also to understand a very clean and clinical example of early developmental trauma and the splitting to create a survival self-survival personality from what Nick refers to as either indigenous or natural self. And then to understand how that much later in life can become a real beautiful gift.
So in this podcast, Nick explains the history behind boarding schools. He’s quite the psycho historian.
And we talked about the mechanics and dynamics of boarding schools school syndrome, and how that’s formed in early life, and then how that then plays out as ex boarder then go into the world. We discuss normalisation and how, as he says, fish can’t see the water that they swim in, and how no key issues within our sauce society, we don’t see because we’re in and amongst them, we then have a really interesting discussion about what happens when the wheels come off. And there is the inevitable collapse of this survival personality that is really been created by a very young child, whether it’s eight, nine or 10. And so there’s a certain amount of inevitability about that. And then what needs to happen in terms of retraining in later life.
From this, we then further go into the wider implications on the British psyche, and leadership and culture and how that spread across the world and that’s where it gets really fascinating.
Look, this topic is quite a not very well known topic. And the first thing that’s brings to mind and we discussed this is how can you link a syndrome or a trauma to a privileged opportunity or privileged education and we talked about that. And Nick gives some very good reasons why it’s worth entertaining this and entertaining this topic. Not just as a research for somebody who went to boarding school, but anybody who lives in a within the Commonwealth.
So, enjoy, Nick.
Hello, and welcome back to WA Real. I’m your host, Bryn Edwards. Today we have the privilege of my guest, Nick DFL. Nick, welcome to the show.
Thank you very much friend.
So, for the for listeners today, what we’re going to dive into is the impact of attending boarding schools. And not just on the individual but also society is large and how that has impacted things. Nick is a psychotherapist and written many books on the topics and appeared in many documentaries. So Nick, welcome to the show.
Thanks very much. That’s great to give me a chance to appear in Western Australia without having to leave my leave my idea here I’m in southwest France where it’s ridiculously hot. And so we’re going to have a conversation about what’s now being called boarding school syndrome. No, in the beginning, I there wasn’t my invention. That word. It was a colleague of mine, Joe Shadowrun. Yeah, yes. I started talking about boarding school survivors. Yeah, I did that deliberately. It’s just kind of shocked people. So people think, wait a minute. You have to survive this costly privilege education.
Exactly. Yeah, just before we dive into it, one of the questions I always like to ask my guests especially and they are particular experts. like yourself is why was this important to you?
Well, I mean, you know, the thing about life I find is that that at the time, you don’t know why something is important to you, you end up sort of working on a particular subject. And that only becomes clear on in retrospect, so anything I say now is not going to explain it. But what I could say is that because my family moved around a lot after the this was, you know, in the 50s when I went to my first boarding school, I mean, I you know, I was always going to go to a an English public school because my father was a boy from Hackney, which for those of you down under don’t know where that is. That’s, it used to be the poor part of London. It’s now the place where those guys with the beards and the wax wax, my Stosh live, you know, very. What do you call them? hipsters?
That’s right. So,
so my father would turn in his grave to see what’s happening in Hackney now. But it was like that was like, you know, it was the East End. It was a wild west wild beast. And his main ambition was to get out of that. And in during the war, he met a posh girl, my mother, and so he was a grafter and he was going to make sure that his children, you know, got into the middle classes had the right kind of accents because in Britain accent is very important when we won’t make any comment about accents in Australia. Don’t worry, I’m not going to go there.
Yeah, and
and so there was he had an investment programme going from the time I was born. But actually I was sent to I was at a British army school in Germany. And he come accident again every time I came back with a different accent, because depending on what regiment was in, and apparently the story goes, when I came back with a Jordy accent, my father said is enough is enough. We have to send him to boarding school now. And the firm paid for me to go early at the age of eight. And I went to a school that was it wasn’t in Germany wasn’t anything that was in Switzerland. And was, had been sort of commandeered by the military and it was full of American kids. sergeants and officers so I actually went to an American School in, in in Switzerland, and I did all my separation from my parents there because it was 300 miles away, but it was a it was a very benign place. And and and it was, it wasn’t full of bullying and abuse and stuff like that. And then I got sent back to an English prep school for a year and then to an English public school. So by the time I got their English public school 13, I was well used to book boarding. And I could not believe what was happening in the English boarding school, all these rules and how you could get into trouble if you had your jacket buttons on done. And then the fact that children were getting beaten and stuff like this, so it was very shocking for me. So I already had an idea in my head. It doesn’t have to be done like this. Yes. And then, as a young man, I spent a couple of years teaching in a boarding school actually in India. Hmm. And I was very bewildered. Why was everybody in India so nice to me because I was an Englishman and I knew the colonial history. Why were they also nice and I couldn’t figure it out. And it took me years and years and years instead of like, 25 years later, I realised that we’d sort of defeated the Indians from the inside. Yes, we only had a handful of people out there, we’d made the kind of new boys stupid boys who didn’t know anything. Yeah. And put them at the bottom of the, of the pecking order. And, and they’d accepted it. Because if the psychological Trump’s the English is so good at people, putting people into is strong enough, you end up accepting it. And, and so I mean, it’s it’s a long story, but I had a couple of breakdowns because I was a big rebel and I, I went to Oxford, then I became a carpenter. I broke my father’s heart. And then I had to break down in my 30s. And then one little later and then I, I went into therapy as a client and eventually, I trained to become a therapist. Yet mostly I fell in love with a woman on the training course but But that’s another story. But and then finally, you know, in in, in, in 1989, my qualifying thesis, I wrote something about boarding schools. And I showed it to my father was on his deathbed and he said, for God’s sake, don’t show it to your mother.
And you see,
then, then I start to realise Yes, well, my mother had been aboard as she bought it from five years old. Wow. And so she hadn’t didn’t have a hope of being a mother Really? Because this is a transgenerational problem. What we got in, in Britain, is we’ve got people who have boarded families who’ve had boarding over centuries and centuries, and boarding involves logically breaking the child’s attachments. Yes. And that becomes a transgenerational process problem and the level of anxiety about that runs throughout the British psyche, actually,
hmm. And we’re going to, we’re going to dive into impact on the British psyche and Empire and everything a little bit later. And before we go bit further into what boys core syndrome is, and so the mechanics and dynamics of it this I suppose I must be transparent in this as well, I, too, went to a boarding school. I went to a prep school at the age of eight in limington spa and I was a weekly border from eight to 13. And after 13 to 18, I was utterly boarder till I was 18. And interestingly, yet, my my, I do actually have a chat with my parents before doing this conversation. And, you know, I know that they made the best decision that they thought they were making at that point in time, much like your father. Interestingly, I was never more than probably A 4550 minute drive from home. But yeah, but it could have been
worse. Sometimes the worst is Yeah,
it could have been 4550 hours really didn’t matter, anyway. Yeah. So for somebody listening to this Now, before we deep dive into it, and one of the most difficult thing, things is even to talk about a subject like boarding school syndrome, because it’s how can you guys you had this privileged upbringing, you know, with the prestige and everything that surrounds it, and now then tell me that there’s a syndrome or there’s a problem or there’s trauma around that. How have you managed to reconcile that in even gaining the space to have the discussion, let alone getting into the mechanics of what it is, which we’ll do in a minute?
Got a variety of ways to answer that first thing is, you know, please take a look at the English upper classes and royal family and if you can find more dysfunctional people on
on the planet
I’d be interested to hear about it because these are the most privileged but they also the dysfunction in the in the British upper classes is some it’s to seem to be delete but believed the alcohol is the rate of marriage failure, the inability to parent people who have constantly over generations subbed out the parenting to nanny and to boarding school. And, you know, Prince Charles was said never to have been touched by his mother.
Yeah. Good luck. No, this is it. And this is normalised. And the second thing is the whole, the whole business about normalisation. What you’ve got with a boarding school culture is you’ve got a educational and social problem with with an enormous psychological Fallout. And what you’re saying is correct. We tend not to look at the psychological Fallout because we see it in terms of a sociological and educational thing. And you see it ever since the Enlightenment, the disciplines of sociology and politics and psychology have been very separate. So we’ve never studied them together. You know, when I published my first job book, it was a hell of a job knowing where to put it on the shelf. It’s called the making of them by the way, and it’s a bargain. And Amazon UK have got it. I don’t know if they’ve got it in Australia, but are our websites kind of anyway And so you’ve got this this thing that when something is socially normalised you don’t see it anymore. Hmm, it’s like where I live in southwest France. Everybody eats between 12 and two, right? No work takes place between 12 and two. If you want to eat at three, you are a social outcast. Yes. So pletely normalised that no one thinks it’s, it’s weird. Yeah. Now, the same goes goes for in Renton that most of the people think if you’ve got the money, give your children the best start you can do. That means get them out of the family and into an institution. And it’s so completely normalised that we’re like, in Britain and in the colonies and the ex colonies. Sorry, jobs. I know you don’t like that word, but you know, that’s the history.
The,
the you’ve got the situation with boarding school normalised and it’s like, it’s like fish don’t see water anymore, you know, huh. It’s just where it’s just how it is. So, so it’s a normalised phenomena and normalisation, psychoanalytic terms, is a is a defence mechanism that operates in groups. Yeah. It’s a kind of Emperor’s clothes syndrome, you know, everyone’s the Emperor with clothes on because they expecting to. Whereas back to Southwest France, where I’m here, people, when I say I studied this, this this issue, people say, well, what’s the matter with you English? Why do you have children if you want to send them away? And I say, Well, I can’t answer that one. You know, it’s a big it’s, well, I can take time but it’s, it’s it’s you see Then you then you have to explain it with history. And what I what I now you introduced me as a psychotherapist, you’re right but I’m, I’m, you know I’m pretty long in the tooth these days so I now describe myself mostly as a psycho historian
right look at the
psychological history of things and it goes back a long way in Britain and it certainly in England this habit ascending used to be the Squire away, you know, in the Middle Ages, we used to send the squad away in someone else’s household to grow up to break them from the family culture. And then it’s been used very, very successfully in Canada with it with native people to break them from their natural language. Yeah, you know, their languages, their religion, and what I call the natural language of the person which is emotions and sexuality. So, it happens the same in Australia. You No, there’s been a war on what I call the inner indigenous. The end of the boarding school culture.
Wow. Yes.
It’s very successful, very successful.
Yeah, I can see that how I’m sure we’re gonna go further into in a minute, this idea of it’s just even the fact that you’ve used the word break three times. Yes. So it’s like a horse.
exactly the origins of it. When I went into the origins, you look at there’s a school of what, what on the continent is called pedagogue A, which is not a subject that exists actually, in the British academia pedagogy doesn’t exist because it’s a study of how to raise children. And actually basically we give it we give children to nanny and so but it comes from a people probably know the popular psychological works of Alice Miller, where she looks at what she calls poisonous pedagogy, the idea that you would devise systems to break the will of the child. And then the child could be made. Before that they were unmade, which is where my book is called the making of them. Yes. And my training for therapists is called the unmaking of them.
Even at that point there the idea that you know, so I get the sort of, mental image of, of like a seed and a sapling wanting to grow in its natural form, and then somebody wants splints on it to make it grow in different directions to to fit to fit the will of man and fit the will of society rather than allowing the seed to take its course as nature intended.
Yes, you’re right. It’s gonna mean that and that’s back to Sociology. Again that’s called socialisation. No, actually, you breed the kind of people you want in Indian society. And that’s what I’m saying earlier is to really understand this phenomenon. You’ve got to look through a series of different lenses. And then you end up with a psychological one, because actually, you realise if you take a child away from its parents, and break the attachments, if you raise them in an institution where there is always bullying, abuse and abuse, you cannot get that out of institutions, no matter what kind of, you know, safety measures you put in place, it’s that that and if you then have rule bound institutions where the child is constantly afraid of breaking the rules or attempted to same thing, you will develop a character that’s very strategic, always trying to you know, get away with Stuff doing the work. It really is out for number one, but can live in groups at the same time. Yes, yeah. But you’re gonna end up with some very serious problems because when that person leaves and ends up in a family and tries to run intimate relationships, they’ve become a very kind of private person, really very strategic with quite a lot of anxiety underneath, which is the added bit through that with the English public school system. You’ve got very heavy expectations on you to succeed to function, and a very big investment and the child knows the parent is paying a lot of money. It’s very important for the parents. So the internal pressure on the person is vast. Then that’s where it’s different from all other kinds of, of traumatic situations. And the whole thing boarding itself we are now seeing is a trauma. It fits in developmental trauma and the trauma. My colleague who invented boarding school syndrome, as word was looking at people who were traumatised at boarding. But you have to go a step further warning itself as a trauma
is trauma, even if it didn’t end up being abused or strung up upside down from the, you know, the second floor of the boarding house or, or the balcony. Yeah,
exactly. I mean, you know, certainly in my case, nothing very bad happened to me. But actually, the whole experience was just so shocking, especially after I’d gone from a benign boarding school into that English one. That and the whole loss of my parents, you know, I remember 11 my aim my, or 12, I think it was I wanted to be an orphan. That’s I dreamt of being all I imagined myself. fantasises and often and I look back and I think that must have been making tried to make sense of the fact that I felt entirely alone could not have the experience with my parents. They hadn’t been through it. I could not disappoint them. Yeah. And so a lot of people take it as it goes like very, very, you become very alone in life. And yet you’re able to be in a group put on a brave face. You know, function quite confidently get the right accent. Tell everybody, not everybody. Yes, because then I I divide broad in school survivors into three very broad brush cat categories, the compliers the ones who said it never did me any harm and go on and get busy making it success. You know, the David Cameron’s and the Boris Johnson’s of this world, and the Tony Blair’s
second group is the rebels.
Yes, like me, you know, I went to And then became a carpenter. Yep. quite difficult to work with rebels. And and then there was there there are some who get called crushed. And some people did get crushed by it.
Yes. So
I say body school survivor what he has to do, he has to erect what I call or she so happens to do girls as well let’s not forget them has to attract a plausible strategic survival personality. And in the absence of parents, that is both your identity but also a kind of internal parent that you bond to that looks after you. Yeah. And it’s very frightening for people to hear this the compliance thing if that if you sort of suggest that a complier is survival to get very angry with you in certainly survival mode, because that is a threat to survival. But some children are already quite poorly attached or damaged when when they come and they can’t put up a plausible survival personality. And you probably remember kids like this they get bullied shit at boarding school. Yeah, they do.
They don’t. They were. Yeah, they drew attention more often than not. And so, yeah, you you create this new person. And you split from your true self to this new self
and or multiple, multiple selves. It could be anybody you know.
Yeah, I Oh, it’s interesting. You You’re talking about being an orphan. I was always drawn, or like many boys are always drawn to the character, James Bond. One of the things I particularly liked about James Bond was it was all on his own. Yeah, everybody. That’s good. And he was and he was and it was that was particularly what it was about, and I always thought it’d be fun to be different. People are different things.
So what make very, very good actors x public school man? Well, yes,
yeah, or spies. I always fantasise about being a spy. Yeah. Hmm. So, um, can you just just just to set the context for this? Can you step through almost like the the journey that that somebody who goes to public school will go through and then almost like psychologically what are the steps that happen and how this, you know, strategic survival persona comes about? And then I suppose the question I’ll ask you afterwards is how that then plays out into adult life just so we understand the sort of mechanics and dynamics of it.
Yeah, it’s a very, very good question. And it’s, it’s it is very interesting to think like that, because it’s particularly important right at the beginning of the Very first day is a very, very, very important because you the child you know, what kind of preparation does the child get for this? And I mean, it probably depends certainly in my mother’s case, my mother told me what tremendous fun it was going to be. So we’re going to be pillow fights and midnight feasts.
Yeah. And
so I was very ill prepared. And then I remember when my mother left. She waited till I was busy and then I turned around, I was elsewhere focus. I didn’t get to say goodbye to her. And I, you know, when you look back and realise that she she wasn’t going to be able to handle the emotion of that mean, does it go to a parent who is a boarder when they drop you off? They have both the parent who is abandoning and the parent who’s setting you on this Braves elitist start, but also they become the child who’s being sent away.
Can because it’s all resonating in their own psyche because it will never been completed. Yeah. Man. Yeah, it’s a very complex mix. So when people I mean any boarding school survivors there if you, you know, if you listen to this talk and you sing, you want to go confront your parents, I mean, be cautious, because they may not be ready if that if their borders themselves, it will be very difficult because they’re boarding child is still kind of a lot psychologically still alive. You see, that’s the thing. The parts in the psyche is still alive.
And, and then the other thing is that like, you We both said, we know our parents were doing what they thought was the best thing. So the sort of the guilt feelings and the defence against guilt is enormous. So it’s, it’s very often it’s not the great rapprochement that people are hoping for. So they got a child child coming from its family where more or less every every, you know, all the child’s whims were taken care of or you know, maybe you slept at home with a light on or something like this, you know, yes, mommy took off every night. And then you’re going into an institution and its institution might have a hot history history of 1500 years. 200 years.
Yeah, it’s got
these big, wouldn’t wouldn’t clocks up with gold or lettering with the various captains of house or stuff. Yes. is totally meaningless to the new new boy or new girl.
Yeah, yep.
But it’s it, you know, it’s it’s a big deal there. And then you drop there. And you it’s like what happens is one of my colleagues wrote an article about this. He called it violence at the threshold. So it’s like you go over a threshold. And it’s a terribly emotional violent thing for the child to step from one world to the other. Yeah, completely alone.
Yeah, huh.
Now, even if the teachers, the adults running the place, who those who don’t know are actually quite few compared to the number of children, even if that if they’re good natured, benign, etc, is the other children on threat?
And the other children are threat for very precise reasons. And it’s because they’re frayed and abandoned themselves.
And the first rule when you cross that threshold is don’t show you missing your mommy.
Otherwise you would
otherwise you’re weak. Otherwise your whim whatever it is, then all the attention will start to swirl around that and it’s the attention you don’t want this attention you don’t want and everybody’s reinforcing that. Let’s not it we let’s not blob we’re used to call it in my day low don’t otherwise. I mean this is not voiced but this is implicit very strong, otherwise all going to blob.
Yeah. So then what the group does this is where the violence also kicks in is the group picks on the people who are who are least together. And, you know, you never say, Oh, yeah, let that one be the whim. Because here’s the way here’s the way that’s that’s psychologically that’s called dissociation. I dissociate from my feelings. Yeah. And the way dissociation work because this is, you know, it’s a classic psych psychotherapeutic psychoanalytic mechanism, but I didn’t understand it fully, until I understood it in the boarding school context. And dissociation works like this. If I have to discern my vulnerability, because that’s what we’re talking about. Yeah. Missing mommy. That means in the end, I can’t admit missing money. That means all in the end all of my vulnerabilities taboo. Yeah. It comes from that immediately. Yes, I’m not going to be the weak one. I will not be the vulnerable one. To help that mechanism work psychologically, we look over there. Oh, Britain’s Got a little tear in his eye at this moment. He’s feeling a bit. Oh, yeah, let Bryn be the week where I’m not the weak one. Britain is the weak one. Yeah. Or how it works on the political system. I am not the incompetent one. Jeremy Corbyn is the one I followed that. But they bullied him remorselessly for two years, they wanted him and what happens if you get bullied that much? You start to believe it, you start to feel it.
You cannot withstand that group pressure, because people you’re in these institutions for what are the terms 10 week terms? 12 week terms? Yeah, or McComas terms? Like what? 1415 weeks. And it’s 1012 and summers. 10. To 12. Yeah, how many Michaelmas terms did you do bread 11 Yeah, you see that is an eternity.
Yes. The child. It’s an eternity. It says.
So these things stick. You know, what happens if you go to one school you make a slight mistake you mispronounce something or something like that. Oh, it stick with you for life.
There was the neck. Yeah, you’d Met Life at that school.
Yeah, that’s right.
Absolutely. And I remember having conversations with people about it was subsequent to being at school people would ask me about, you know, was there much fighting in your school? Because all boys school, and the answer was no, no, because the way it would work is that you would, the way I describe it is everybody put their armour up. And there’d be this constant in the dorms all day every day because there is no remorse. There is no letter The only letter you had was in the toilet cubicle. Yes. Well, this is important.
Let’s go slowly here bring because people don’t know this. It’s like, the difference is in the day school, you go home to your bed and you’re safe. Even if it was a bully in the playground, in boarding school. It’s not the case is it?
It is just all day every day. And the only the only place you have yourself pretty much is was early in the younger years. Is is the toilet cubicle. And I yeah, I recall, sitting there for like 1020 minutes at a time just to go even as a young boy, but they would, everyone would have their shields up and you would be constantly tapping. Just every day, we would do it on each other’s shields. And every now and again, you’d find some Something a little change, and then you keep tapping, keep tapping, and then everyone else would join you and join you and then that will change would turn into. And, and it would just carry on and carry on and carry on. And this might go on for a couple of days. And it was just Carry on, carry on. And then finally, if you if you were taken to a place where the chink in your armour got to a place that you got angry and you lashed out and threw punches you lost. And it didn’t, it didn’t matter whether you were the recipient of the blows, it really didn’t matter whether you caught a black eye, it didn’t matter because you’d won and they’d lost. And that’s how it worked. They were fighting was the was Yeah, witness.
Yes. So you don’t lose control. You see, you the if when I went into the origin of this, what that’s it I see that psycho historically there was a big project in Britain, which really got going after the French Revolution. And the European enlightenment is that we had to raise rational men yet. Well, even the girls had to become rational men. And you had a big problem with raising rational men because you start as a child, which is by nature irrational, emotional, messy. Yeah. And under the under in the world of the mother. So that’s where the boarding school scored. You take them out of the world of the mother and raise them in this hyper rational education. You probably remember you know, you’re not taught to be emotionally intelligent or even emotional literate in the schools in the body has to do sport. Yeah, that’s what the body is about. Guess. And then there’s this bizarre kind of, you know, we’ve got the you’ve got the you’ve got the rationality front of mind the bodies to do with sport and a strange kind of religion which no one really believes
And, and that is that’s known as the finest education in the world.
Yeah. It
really is rubbish. You have to get in, you have to come out of these places, I’m afraid, folks, you have to totally retrain yourself. You have to retrain your mind. You have to retrain your body. You have to train your emotions. You have to retrain your spirituality. You have to retrain your sexuality. That’s five things you have to retrain because actually, it affects you in all those dimensions in your life. And the sooner you find out this is going on the better as soon as you find out the problems of being a father or a husband are linked to body School and how you were trained. You know, it doesn’t mean you’re a total shit, it doesn’t mean that your partner is a nag bag actually means you had the worst training in the world for intimate relationship and family life, even though you may have a voice and a good job.
Yes. Yeah. And you also can’t work out why, you know, I’m going away to work to do the thing to provide for everybody. What Why is it you? Why is that not enough? Yeah,
that’s right, then you get very defensive about it.
Oh, very much. So.
And defensiveness is the worst thing in relationships. Hmm. You end up digging yourself in digging yourself in.
So, to go back where we were before, and yeah, we have the violence of the threshold. We have the we have the trauma, we have the splitting and then we create this strategic A survival persona whose
personality I call it, yeah, but it is a persona, right? Yes.
Yeah. And then that is very much a distinct and self an identity, believe Yes, values, way of thinking and behaviours that is distinctly different to what was your true self and where
Yes, and it has different characteristics. So some people might have been a, you know, a survival personality might be a sort of winner, the head of house type or you know, the yes or the sports athlete other others might have been, you know, an ice alert or something. Some people like with the clown, a lot of look at the British comedians of the of the 70s and 80s. You know, they’re all ex public school guys. Yeah. Refined clowns, you know, that, you know, Wits doing that all that you know, Tim Brooke Taylor said, on his first day he went through threshold disk. It discovered you could make somebody laugh. This is like day one. He said, I’ll just keep doing that. And yeah,
you know,
yeah, it’s not going to get that unnecessary attention. Is it? Yeah, yeah, that’s easy is the way forward. So even unfortunately, being a bully, or even the victim or the bully is some kind of survival role. Yeah. And the problem is the problem is psychologically, once we’ve designed something that you’d like the eight year old self designs of protecting himself. And the problem is you keep running it, you know, until you’re 50. Yeah, if you’re lucky, and you find it starts failing, and you 40s and actually, that’s a very good sign, or that seems to be a catastrophe for a lot of people. That’s a very good sign, because you don’t want it to be lost into your 70s. I can tell you, yeah,
and I’m going to
ask you about that in a sec. I think the other thing that is worth pointing out is that this is trauma of leaving mum and dad hmm although the first day is the worst it it’s not a one off thing it happened every single time you go back from home to school and that’s and then it leaves you in this very displaced state where what is actually home and what is what and you know obviously remember the leading up to the days of the end of holidays just with dread I still to this day when I see adverts even here in Australia, you know, end of term get your get your stationery and those sort of things. Those adverts were starting to come on the TV and they would just make me angry as a child and I still today because that signified you end up going back to this place.
Yeah, I used to get it Sunday evenings. And and the beginning of September. I used to get to my stomach the beginning of September. Mm hmm. And you’re right, you see you talk to you mentioned the word splitting earlier in splitting as a sort of a colloquial word in therapy used for dissociation where the self split so you show one side and another side is hidden, sometimes even from from yourself. Yes. You see, the whole structure of this boarding school thing is supporting this because you have a child at home, and a child that’s at school, they’re completely different environments is so different. And you’re shuttling from one to the other. And over many, many, many years, so it supports this splitting. And you’re, you spend a lot more time at the school than at home. So you spend Your time at home school longing to get home and then when you get home ultimately, it’s very disappointing. And you actually, you know, you have to, you’re counting off the days until you go back again. So, this does something very strange about time in the psyche about where you rooted You know, I’m still constant packing, you know, I mean, you know, I had years of therapy I still have when it’s time to pack, I go a bit panicky.
Lucky I know what it is.
Yes, I still do it. Yes, yeah.
very deeply embedded to see gets embedded in the body.
Very true. And so after years and years and years of this how do we describe the person that is released into the world
Well, what should I mean there’s a variety of these persons, but I see one of the most common one is someone who knows how to function and is very good at having tea with elderly arms, or something like this. Yeah, underneath is running an enormous amount of anxiety. And that anxiety is not very often not known to the self. Yeah, so, so you will take things like bad digestion, things like that as normal. And because a lot of it goes into the body, hmm. And, and you in the typical boarding school survival is quite at home by now, with having one outside face and another set of internal reality. Yep. But very often does not know that the anxiety that they’re running on is not normal hasn’t even recognised the anxiety. Because it’s just very hard to recognise it, it’s just normal. Yeah. And, and so the sort of thing and it relationship, it often comes out. So. So one of the things that goes on is that, let’s say people report partner calls, calls, all the school survivors name out. And immediately he’s on the defensive. Yes. What about them? Yeah, yeah. So a one of the things is you lose the inability to distinguish situations of threat from situations of intimate, intimate meeting. Yes, that is, that is very, very bad news in intimate relationships. So your wife is immediately you know, you might she She’s automatically classified as enemy first. Because, you know, the old parts of the brain are wired for danger. And we lose what? There’s a very brilliant neuroscientist called Steven porges in America who’s, who’s got something, his adventures with his invention. He describes the way the nervous section functions. He calls it social engagement system. So we’re always scanning for safety and other people’s eyes and faces. And there’s a lot of blood and muscles, you know, nerve endings, huge amount in the face. And people who’ve had developmental trauma or long term abuse, stop sending signals with their faces. stop sending blood into their faces and stop reading correctly. Facial signals And he’s boarding school survivors are amongst these. And it could be origin of what we call the stiff upper lip. In Britain. Yeah.
There’s more to it than just the same.
And that is completely autonomic, you see that that’s not about how you how you behave, that’s just who you are now. And, and that gets embedded in different love, you know, in the nervous system functioning. Similarly. I mean, we’re in a very interesting place these days in psychotherapy world because we’re starting to get linking up now with neuroscience and getting these pictures of the brain. So we discovered that that the brain that the mind that dissociated dissociates shows a fragmented picture actually in the brain now. Yep, it can be seen with MRI scanners. And we know that something happens with memory. I mean, the work of dance seagull is worth checking out here. So, you know that if you’ve if you’ve experienced sort of repetitive trauma with no one to turn to, which is what developmental trauma is called? Yeah, then you log that trauma in a wrong place in the memory, you log it in the same place where you log things like riding a bicycle. When you get on a bicycle, you don’t have to every time think, oh, how do I ride a bicycle? No, you just get on and you remember that? So you tend to still trauma now in that sort of place. So you go into great, yeah. Is it just a habit is a conditioning, it’s a condition. It’s like the eight year old trauma is still alive that you know, you’ve already got to go, I don’t know what what, what’s your bag brand, but some people it’s like floor polish, you know, institutional J’s fluid or something like that. Sometimes smell and worth your back being ate with all those men, you know? Yeah, less memories, but the feelings, the anxiety is there. And that’s coming out of the way the memory is stored.
Mm hmm. Not certainly. Yeah, that makes sense. It goes from just a habit into something so much deeper.
Well, yes. Then it’s quite dense, quite structural, you see. Hmm.
Without I mean,
maybe, maybe this is because I go in. I probably resonate with the compliant out of the three of you. Yeah, yeah. You types you gave us earlier on. And it’s easy for us to look at all the negative aspects, which we did. And there’s not plenty more in this discussion to go yet but there we are. Some, I mean, we have to recognise some of the, the the benefits of this as well. And what would you say they are?
Well, they’ve got incredible facilities. Yeah. So, you know, and certainly in Britain, lots of schools, quite wealthy. So they’ve got fantastic grounds. And, and you’ve got the, you know, you’ve got a captive audience. So you can really train a child to do well at things like sports or hobbies or theatre and stuff like that, because they’re not getting distracted. They’re not spending their whole, you know, the rest of their time looking at their iPhone or something or TV or whatever. So, it’s a very sort of, it’s very concentrated time. Yes. And, and, and so.
And you could do things that you might not,
you know, I mean, I did. I did. I did ruin my public school. And when I got when I got to Oxford, I, even Oxford, the standard of rowing was way lower than what I was used to at school. Yes. So you’ve you’ve got that sort of that sort of very up market performance stuff that that goes on in those schools, which is hard to replicate. Hmm.
Now, you talk about concentrated because, yeah, I guess, going into the workplace over the last 20 odd years, I’ve always had this ability to help concentrate most people in meetings. You know, the distractibility seems to go no time where I can maintain concentration for a long period. I could never understand why everybody else couldn’t do the same as well.
Well, we had named Yeah, sorry, go. We are gone. Now we have a name for that in we call it timetabling. Yeah, it’s, it’s because when you’re at boarding school, there isn’t any free time or if there’s free time, it’s down on the timetable. It’s an hour and a half after lunch on Sunday or something like this. It’s true. And and, and so you’re always on a timetable. So you get both that sort of high level functioning you’re describing also kind of a workaholism. Yes. And a lot of people kind of, you know, because the other thing we haven’t got to is, you know, what’s it like when your survival personality designed by your eight year old crashes when you’re in your 40s say, and we’re gonna get to that in
just a second?
Yeah, often it’s losing a job often it’s losing a job. In other words, you You’re off the timetable. And yeah, that that is can be very bewildering for the boarding school survivor.
And yeah, and even now just listening to you, I’ve always had this incredible intuitive, well, I say intuitive, innate, innate sense of time. Okay, I could tell you what time of the day it is at any given point, just because it’s just drill, drill, drill, drill drilled, and I’m usually I don’t wear watches as much anymore.
Now, that’s, that’s also an anxiety thing where you actually have to know exactly where you are. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I guess one other just want to say before we move on from this topic is that a lot of the proponents of boarding school say there’s two things they say. One is they say if a child’s in an unhappy family is better off being out of it and a boarding school. Well, you try telling that to social workers, social workers do all they can to keep joy And families these days. And the reason is that children have something to give to a family as well. They give their love and they give their attention. And taking the child out the family is also bad for the family. Yes, bad for us. It’s bad for them not just for the child. And, you know, take them out when they’re 16. By all means, but not when they’re eight. Now, yeah. Because you’re all your formative influence period going on in these things. And the other thing is they talk about some of the proponents born in school say, well, they learn to live in a community. But hang on a minute. It’s not a community. It’s a bunch of kids of the same age and some masters, and a few a difference between a community is people of all ages, all genders, animals, you know, people who are healthy people who are sick people who are rich or poor. That’s a community. It’s it involves a lot of diversity. Yes, so a boarding school is not a community. It’s an instance
modernization.
And a lot of studies have been done on institution, notably by guy called grothman. In the early 60s, and institutions really have their own life and boarding schools are not communities, their institutions, I’m afraid to say.
The question I asked you earlier on when I said, you know, what are some of the positive aspects? And I guess I was also not just about the facilities in the concentrated time, what are some of the positive aspects that people take into life? I mean, I for one found that within 12 months of leaving boarding school, I was all writing myself to go and travel and explore the world for four months by myself, go off and backpack where a lot of people around me were either older doing that or, or doing it in pairs or threes was fine. And so I don’t want to say here, and just bag it all out. There were some positive characteristics What? What is some of those things that you have seen in in the work that you’ve done? Well, it’s
no, it’s true. That’s all true that you get it. On the other hand, on the other hand, I remember when I was travelling with my girlfriend, I would get up early in the morning, go out and have a record. And eventually, she would say, What the fuck are you doing? Why are you you know, you’re on some final mode again. Yeah,
I think that’s that’s probably why I really enjoy travelling in that survival mode to another level and demonstrating that it can still work and still,
the more you get into this, you know, the you realise all interlaced it is. It is. We’re very good at survival, but actually can we just live now That’s when when when, you know when we go on the therapeutic journey of recovery. That’s, that’s what we call it. I call it a journey from survival into living.
Yeah, that’s what it’s
so let’s get into it now you know, you go into the world, you probably end up with a relatively decent high functioning job and on the surface, it looks all good. And you know, because you can hold a conversation and be witty and confident as long as you’re not one of those crush people. You know, everything looks good. When did the wheels start to come off?
Yeah, well, the slip could be when your first child is born and you you come across raw vulnerability and power. Yeah.
crocky
Yeah. So could be When your first child is born, ironically enough, that was my father ringing. Yeah, perfect. Okay, he’s is perhaps feeling the vibe was your father bought it? Maybe?
Sorry. So the so the question was when did the wheels coming off?
The folks we got it’s all happening live here on the programme. Yeah. Yeah. So it could be when a child is born or certainly very often when you’ve got a child reaches eight or something like that. Yeah. And you look at yourself and you think, Oh my god, you know, I was like, I was so big. Yeah.
Because you feel very grown up and Big Boy or Big Girls stuff like that. But no, you you know, we as an adult perspective, you see this In charge you think oh my god. They wanted to get me out of the home and into an institution.
yeah. there then you can then you could either hit your grief or your anger.
It could also be something like losing your job like we’re saying when the timetabling stops, it could be losing losing a relationship. It’s often some kind of crash. The psyche works like that psyche kind of crashes at certain point. And that’s an opportunity to reintegrate stuff that hasn’t yet been integrated. So the psyche works. element in the psyche.
Set again, sorry.
The psyche doesn’t work off linear development. Know, the psyche, the psyche when it’s safe enough When it’s possible, actually, to start integrating stuff. Some of your functioning self may crash a bit, so that you go down into yourself. And that’s when it’s incredibly helpful to get an informed therapist to work with, because it’s very hard to do it on your own. Yes. It really is. Are the world starts to come in and everything you thought, you know, yeah. And for us boarding school survivors to realise you need somebody, you’re not fully independent, self sufficient, and all the things are on the brochure of those school catalogues.
Yeah. itself
is to ask for help. It’s very difficult in order to be independent, self sufficient.
Yeah. When the when, when to continue my phrase when the wheels come off for someone when when the crash occurs? Is it do you think That is it that you know, there’s almost like a sense of psyche energy fatigue of running this and you know this persona and and it can no longer do it and it’s just for want of a better word knackered and or is there and or is there like the you get to a place where that little aspect of yourself that true south part of you almost goes, it’s time for us to have some sunshine, please wear and Did you see what you mean? I do. I mean, I think it’s it’s slightly more complex in that
the notion of what is the true self is a very complex philosophical one. Yes. And I won’t go into that, but Certainly, what is true is that you’ve erected what Winnicott called a false self. Yes. What I strategic survival personality, and you’ve erected that as a protector. Yep. In place of a parent, but also as an identity, that’s where boarding school syndrome is, is different from other syndromes. The survival self is both an identity and a parent looking after one,
right? And
the, the issue is, you talked about, do you run out of energy? Well, it does take a lot of energy to keep that survival self going. It’s true. And so you do get energy back when you stop doing it. But I think it’s more like, you know, it was invented by an eight year old or a 10 year old or 11 year old, something like this. Is it likely that it’s going to last throughout life because it’s invented from the perspective Have an eight year olds outlook on the world? Yes. So I don’t think it’s likely. And you see the psyche as a whole both wants to protect you. So, the psyche creates the protect itself. Yeah, yes. And psyche wants you to become more realistic. a certain point. Yeah. So, the first chapter in my book, The Making of them is called breakdowns can be breakthroughs. Yes. So, not to be afraid of that I had to learn that my own life not to be afraid of the breakdown because actually, it means the psyche is saying, okay, you’re ready to integrate something more now. And here’s the thing, if you’ve been, if you printed up to the been a little survivor, at boarding school, you know, in his you know, with all the elite advantages and secret internal disadvantages, and you use the psyche starts to break down and you follow that you trust in the psyche. And you follow that. And you come out. You know, many of the people I know who’ve done that journey become very, very deep human beings and have gone very deeply into themselves. And it’s a very rewarding and revealing paths to take.
Someone’s turning into an enormous gift later down. Yeah.
Well, it’s certainly it’s, I’d say it’s like a, it’s a psycho spiritual path to follow that.
Yes. It’s it’s actually incredibly enlightening to hear you say that. Because yes, it explains a lot of the things that I’m drawn to now, and is it I see it as It was originally designed to take you in one place. But it’s almost now taking you to a completely different place, and making of a making of me at a level and a depth that is far deeper than what was originally designed for
this beautiful brand. Yeah, I love that. Yeah,
yeah. It’s very touching. Yeah. And, you know, that’s like that’s taking a very long long term view on someone’s life. Yes. Even if the origin of it started at eight years old.
That’s right. Mm hmm. And so what does
what does therapy typically look like? I mean, yeah, core is it other other modes is
You see,
it’s best of it. It’s best to find a therapy who’s a therapist who understands the subject. And as you know, there’s all kinds of disciplines in therapy, but they should, you know, whilst I’m an inveterate publicist of my books, you know, there’s about five of them now on the subject in Britain, you know, get your therapists to, you know, train your therapist, get them to read it, because not not they don’t all know about boarding school syndrome. And what we do in Britain is we, we, we have, we do therapeutic workshops, four day workshops. So we run over two weekends, and we went into groups with men and women. Because, you know, one of the things is you learn bad habits in groups of other men and you can unlearn them, too. And get people together. And they’re telling stories and they find so many similarities in the sort of syndrome that he never had never really discussed before in a safe place. That’s really good. So a combination of that sort of group work and individual work is the best. And you’re reading
that’s an interesting point right there because I was, I was saying someone only the other day when I was mentioning that I’d started looking at this I was going to speak to you is that I can spot it, I can pretty much spot it another export from modway. It’s really cool. And and you know, it doesn’t take much. And you can have you can sort of within a short period of time, you know, confirm that, but you’ll never have a conversation about it
will never acknowledge stuff. Unless it’s, unless it’s a high jinks high drama story. You need to be very safe to do that. Hundred. Yeah. So if you can set up that safety in a social way, so much better, but it’s, it’s it’s very difficult. So that’s what we do in our workshops. You know, we prepare people, you know, people sign up a year in advance very often and and we have people come, you know, we have people coming over from the States and Canada and things like that, and even Australia to do the workshops. It’s a big deal for them. Yeah. And we set it up very safely. And we have two very skilled facilitators running these things. Because just beginning to take the cork out of the bottle there and talk about it like you’re saying, already, that’s really break the mould.
Yeah, that’s completely alien to everything that you’ve been programmed and conditioned. Yeah,
that’s right. And then, you know, then of course towards the end of the workshops, we try to help them with a set of a tool. Bag of you know how to stop running your life on the survival personality. Hmm. That because that and that’s, you know that’s difficult you’ve learned that over many years you it’s ingrained. So that’s not easy. I’m not giving any false hopes that that’s an easy project, but it’s a worthwhile one. Like you were saying just
yeah. Yeah. Because you’re not gonna, you know, it’s not like the modern day online coaching phenomenon of two weekends and you’ll be clued cured. No, no, that’s all bullshit. is sorry, motion. And so so I guess it that sets the context to understand now more about the core British culture and, and, and the the colonies and everything that that you know we created through our empire is that
you’re completely right. And that’s where I went when somebody came to me sort of, I suppose about 10 years after the making of them was out and published and said, Why don’t you write something else? Maybe a bit simpler, shorter about it? I said, No, I didn’t want to go there again. And then we have that. This was 2009. The 2010 election were campaign Cameron and all his cronies were elected in and I was, you know, it was jaw dropping for me. I’ve because I’ve said, Oh my God, we you know, we’re British people. Even the working classes are electing these people. I’ve been speaking about their pathology. So then I wrote my book wounded leaders and when I looked at the impact the impact that this had on our society and our politics and went more into the history. And I talked a lot about the First World War in that
book. And
I showed how that dysfunction and ban on vulnerability was woven woven into our public life in a very deep level, and how those who have disowned their vulnerability, how on earth could they be expected to understand the vulnerability of others?
Hmm. And,
you know, that’s that’s very big in England and you know, to certain extent, you’ve got that in Australia as well. I think. You know, you got a quite a lot of boarding schools in Australia on the one hand understandable because of the big distances for
regional impact. Yes,
places that punch at a pretty high level too. In terms of their elitism and you’ve had quite a lot of scandals in them lately as well, so because you, you know, you can’t expect institutions without bullying and abuse, and without sexual abuse, it’s you know, that’s, you know, what I say is that normalised neglect is the construct context that abuse inevitably occurs in. And you’ve got normalised back on very big scale. And you’ve got an entity, transgender transgenerational problem. And so we’ve got a ruling class in Britain who are very out of touch with ordinary people. I know Henri Rumble, and the European Union is a big threat because actually, it’s not quite like that over there. Yeah.
It’s very difficult. So
democracies in Europe, in Britain hasn’t been able to set up a social democracy. And it’s because of this top down, class ridden situation that we still got and perpetuate through the boarding schools. Hmm. That’s the engine of it.
Yeah. And then that sets that sets the context of role models for leadership and how you should be and what, or all of that. And yeah,
you know, and then, of course, you know, we had people like myself coming, you know, grew up in the 60s and 70s, who started to turn away from things like the boarding school, and then blow me down. We had Harry Potter and the whole thing got mythologized all over again.
Yeah. Wow. I didn’t even think about that yet. Yeah, kids are having fun all day. Exactly. In the spirit of what your mother sold you on. That’s right. Indeed, indeed, has there ever been any studies on the impact to the mothers and fathers who send their kids away?
It’s a terribly difficult thing to study with academic research for a number of reasons. And that is firstly, there’s a massive financial lobby worth billions in Britain very, very protected all the highest ranks of society. And the second thing, what is called sim rooms very, very difficult to research because how do you study something which kind of actually begins eight but doesn’t come out until the person say 30 4050? Yes, very difficult.
you have to look at some of the some of the evidence, which is around there. So if you look in Britain, the union Reports always report throughout Britain unhappiest teenagers. Hmm.
Very, very.
All attitudes to parenting. Yes. So all those sorts of things. And often I would say to people actually, you know, I certainly know when I was, you know, I got two sons and being a parent to them. Bloody hell, that was the hardest thing I ever did, especially when they were teenagers. You know, ain’t nothing makes you grow up like being a parent.
Yeah, we do it every day on time, right? Because we’re good. We’re good. We’re very good,
In interestingly, and it’s almost like a piece of serendipity in that. This week. I have been talking to you about This
from one from the true self to the, to the this this strategic survival persona. And last week I ended up talking to a well respected researcher in the world of narcissism. And, and that too, we were talking about true self and false self and stuff like that. It I don’t know sort of know where I’m going with this question but there’s almost something about a clinical there’s always something about a clinical trauma that going to boarding school brings to somebody who does it. And and this we’re splitting that then gets reconciled later with a lot more forceful gusto, which is my sort of experience. Yet it strikes me that joy Because somebody didn’t go to boarding school that this sort of impacting collision with the world doesn’t happen and that they themselves will create some sort of other self. And I just wonder whether, you know, almost almost like I said earlier on with it being quite a deep gift in the fact that because it was so clean and clinical at the age of eight, that I’ve sort of come back in the age of 40. And that for for another person who were it’s been a more gradual departure that, that that may never reconciled in quite the way. Do you
see where I’m going with that, if that makes sense? Yeah, I mean, it’s a very complex. Yeah, isn’t it and I think the whole nature, the whole discussion of, of about the true self and a full self is is very challenging for is off actually, I think one thing we could say, about this way, like the psycho historical perspective is that, that from the Enlightenment onwards, and certainly from the French Revolution onwards, you’ve got an you’ve got and you’ve got the Industrial Revolution from the beginning of the Industrial Age. We have taken ourselves the whole of humanity on a big journey away from the natural world. Yes. In a sort of, in, in, in pursuit of progress, in pursuit of our rational superiority to the world and animals and things like that. And we’re beginning to review that now. And we’re beginning to see the costs of that. Yeah. And, you know, you could say the whole of humanity’s been busy putting up a sort of a false over what I call the inner indigenous, yes. And in the inner indigenous well I call that that, that in a way that natural self has gone on spontaneity, lot of emotions. It’s roar and sexual and things like that. And we’re sort of we’ve been we’ve been coating that with rationality and, and with progress, and that the British system of boarding school is absolutely the perfect element at developing that kind of strange self.
Which functions terribly well in other institutions, like in politics, in the army, in the church, in business, doing Empire. Take by Empire, of course it would, cause that was the day the original motivation to develop, you know, administrators of the British Empire You’re right. Yeah, we haven’t even met. But take it out of that environment and into the one where the natural self is more. Yeah. parent is actually in the family functions very badly in general. Yes. So the breakdown of that self is liable to be in the family and also in and it’s not just, it’s not just an internal sort of psycho spiritual adventure as we’ve been saying. It also means you have to come home to relationship to being a social being,
to being friendly being
Yeah, to being a body. Yeah. And, and, and that journey in that journey. That’s where the true wisdom is to be had because then you can take your refined mental apparatus and and use that to help you on that journey.
That’s great, huh? That’s a fantastic counter to a probably one of most ill formed questions. Man, it’s just, it’s one of those things, isn’t it? When when you have this epiphany, and you start to see things in the world, and you start to see things through a lens and and and, and and once once, yeah, so it was very valuable to be able to ask that question. Um, so last couple of questions I’d like to ask you is what have you learned about yourself through all of this?
Oh, well, I keep learning about myself, you know,
I keep learning what you know what it’s like to be on the inside a very private person who can actually manage social situations in a particular way, but not for too long.
I’m learning to be as present as I can in relationship. That’s the most important thing to me to be present. And then I know a certain time. Whoa, I need to back off, refuel, come back again. Yeah.
And the whole, the whole level of extrovert and introvert really doesn’t help, does it? No, it doesn’t help because you’re both. Huh. The last question that I like to ask my guests is, it’s a nice hypothetical question is, and I’ve just tweaked it recently is, if you could upload a single question into the collective consciousness. So everybody just pauses and spend five or six minutes deeply thinking about it. What would that be?
Well, I had I have a gendered question here. I would, I would say for the men is what are the what is the work you need to complete that your father wasn’t able to do? And perhaps for the women, you know, for their mothers, what their mother was named something like that. Fantastic.
Fantastic. Nick, it’s been an absolute pleasure talking to you today. Yeah, it’s
been very nice interview. Thank you. It’s
Yeah, it’s an absolute treat to speak to somebody who’s Yeah, can talk about this in such great depth, and and wit as well at the same time. Yeah, so if people wanted to find your works there, they’re all on Amazon, aren’t they?
Yes, I mean, go to go to WWW dot boarding school survivors. co.uk books is Certainly Amazon you I don’t know how they work in the rest of the world. I’m not sure. I haven’t checked out all the all the the Amazon sites but my distributor as well. And yeah it’s been very nice thank you thank you bread.
Thank you very much. Okay cheers
Helen Yates
I’m a mother and a psychotherapist. Both my children are severely dyslexic now aged 35 and 39. My daughter was seriously bullied in her local school by crap teachers who in 1980 -90 understood very little about dyslexic challenges. I found a small boarding school that supported these children. I had tried a home tutor but it didnt seem to help. My daughter spent 2 years in this school as a boarder from aged 9.
She is now a creative primary school teacher. However I do know that it was traumatic for my daughter and my son and myself. I now agonise about this trauma. When my daughter was aged 28 she totally rejected me and I didnt see her for 4 years. I know all this is trauma. Its really disturbing and distressing to know this. I’m a genuine loving caring person and I didnt know what else to do. I had no parents to support me and was a parent alone with a husband unable to understand…he was a Church of England Priest….also damaged emotionally by a father a serious bully. Very important information. What to do?
Bryn Edwards
wow – it’s hard, the balance between allowing your daughter on her journey and being the loving caring mother you are. how is your relationship with her now? I guess if i learnt anything from my experience and this conversation is that psyche has a way for finding the right time to heal – but that is my experience.
Becoming REAL (78)
REAL Business & Impact (63)
REAL Health & Well Being (72)
REAL Relationships (17)
REALly Bigger Than Yourself (49)
Authentic interviews
by Estellar7 from Australia
Entertaining, intellectual journeys. these podcasts are a wonderful dive into the depth of knowledge and humanity that lives around us. Thanks for the learning experiences Bryn!
A chance to learn
by Energetic Jules from Australia
Bryn is a captivating host who connects most fascinating people to curious listeners.
my new favourite podcast
by Freo Hippie from Australia
Inspiring and compelling stories from amazing West Australians. Bryn's also a great interviewer who asks questions that get really insightful answers.
by DAT88 from United Kingdom
Usually the most engaging pieces of TV / media is the unscripted, real conversation where you see the persons true caliber and make up or speaking with a person you would never usually open a discuss with and hearing an astonishing life storey from them. Everyone of Bryn,s podcasts had managed the above !
Understanding the Journey of Life
by Reikisally from United Kingdom
It's good to hear described Jung's contribution, not just to psychoanalytic theory but to the emergent interest of a lay public which wants to explore the possibility of what it might mean to be fully human. in such chaotic times, there will be people helped by gaining some insight into the nature of the shadow currently playing out in the global arena. Away with the pop psychology and hooray for the real thing! WAreal - does what it says on the tin, as we say in the uk!
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On the Edge of Autism
Caitlin and Chad Calder long suspected that their daughter Della had autism. But they didn’t get an official diagnosis until they learned she had a change in the ASXL3 gene.
When Caitlin and Chad Calder’s daughter Della had to get a feeding tube in the summer of 2017, Caitlin was apprehensive. The person who put in the tube gave her a brief summary of how the device worked but little information on what to do if something went wrong. Fortunately, the Calders had a network of families to turn to who’d been through similar experiences.
That hadn’t always been the case. Della has Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome, a rare genetic condition caused by changes in a gene called ASXL3. It is linked to feeding difficulties, low muscle tone, intellectual disability and sometimes autism. When Della was first diagnosed in 2012, she was one of just four people known to have the condition. Doctors knew little about it. And the Carters had no other families to turn to for advice.
Determined to change that, Caitlin began to build a community of families with children with ASXL3 changes. She launched a Facebook page and other resources, creating a network of more than 200 families. Today, Caitlin estimates they hear from roughly two families per week with a new ASXL3 diagnosis. “Those are just the people who bother to contact us,” Chad says. “We have no idea how many there are.”
Caitlin says that having so many families to consult with has been comforting. “It’s a relief to talk to someone who knew exactly what I was going through,” she says. “I can text families and ask if this is normal, or vent about how much work it took. That’s the nice thing about community — they can help with things you didn’t even know you need help with. We lacked that for a long time.”
The Calders struggled for years before they figured out what was wrong with Della. At 8 months old, she couldn’t sit up on her own and wouldn’t bear weight on her feet. She was often sick with colds and ear infections. Concerned about possible neurological or metabolic issues, her physicians conducted a series of genetic tests. But nothing unusual stood out.
After several years of inconclusive testing, the Calders enrolled in a clinical trial at Texas Children’s Hospital and the Baylor School of Medicine Genetics Clinic. The study used exome sequencing — decoding the portion of the genome that codes for genes — to try to uncover genetic changes in children with unknown diagnoses.
Geneticists discovered that Della had a genetic change in ASXL3. Geneticist Matthew Bainbridge and collaborators described Della’s case and three others in a paper published in 2013, outlining an entirely new condition. The other children in the study had issues similar to Della’s — developmental delay, serious feeding difficulties and neurological differences. At the time, doctors had little information to offer. “Dr. Bainbridge was very candid with us in terms of saying we don’t know what to expect, how long these children will live,” Chad says.
That uncertainty has begun to decrease in the last five years, as more and more children are diagnosed with changes in ASXL3. As of early 2018, researchers had described more than 50 cases of people with variations in the gene. They’ve developed a better description of the common symptoms — few children with ASXL3 changes talk, some walk, some have a feeding tube. Life span is still unclear.
Looking back, the Calders were struck by the similarities among ASXL3 children. “We never thought our daughter had physical manifestations,” Chad says. “But now as we get photos of kids with ASXL3, we can see it right away: That’s an ASXL3 kid.” Children with Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome often have distinctive facial features, such as a prominent forehead and arched eyebrows, as well as low muscle tone. Many also have a characteristic head shake, which Caitlin describes as resembling Stevie Wonder.
Despite their similarities, children with ASXL3 changes also differ, falling along a spectrum as in autism. “Some children don’t walk at all, some do. Some have limited vocabulary, some attend high school and are fairly streamlined,” Caitlin says. “Della is in the middle, and most kids are like her.” Bainbridge, one of the scientists who first described the syndrome, suspects this diversity is why the syndrome went unrecognized for so long. He says it’s very difficult to predict how severe an individual’s symptoms will be based on that person’s specific genetic change.
ASXL3 AND AUTISM
Della is among the roughly 50 percent of people with Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome who also have autism. From a young age, she engaged in repetitive behaviors, such as shaking her head, made poor eye contact, had difficulty with language and disliked changes to her routine.
Despite these symptoms, Della was officially diagnosed only last year. The autism assessment came thanks to a free program at the University of Houston, where Caitlin is studying to become a speech-language pathologist. “Her genetic diagnosis overshadowed everything else,” Chad says.
Having an autism diagnosis in addition to the genetic diagnosis helped the family get access to autism-specific services, such as applied behavioral therapy (ABA). “We just started ABA over the summer. That would have been really helpful a long time ago,” Caitlin says.
Today, Della, is a strong-willed 11-year-old who is adept with her iPad, often accessing a cartoon her parents don’t want her to watch. “She knows exactly how to find it, even when we delete the history,” Caitlin says. “She shows us the iPad history to show us she watched it.” Della doesn’t use a lot of words, but she’s very expressive in other ways. “You can read exactly what she is thinking on her face,” Caitlin says. “She surprises me; I always underestimate her.”
One of the most helpful aspects of the Facebook group is sharing strategies for dealing with difficult behavioral issues, such as fecal smearing, that can come up in children with ASXL3 changes. “Parents just getting into that stage don’t know what to do,” Caitlin says. “We have list of ideas we send to each other, like putting on leggings and a swimsuit.”
Della is now perched on the brink of puberty. That stage can be difficult for any family but is especially challenging for individuals with developmental delay. “No one tells you your child will have a period like other girls. Other parents are so helpful on what they did or options they had,” Caitlin says. “When Della starts her period, we have a plan in place.”
Chad and Caitlin are very open about the effect that Della’s diagnosis has had on their relationship. “It’s something we are passionate about, how difficult it is on parents,” Caitlin says.
Early on, Caitlin took responsibility for most of Della’s day-to-day care and doctor’s appointments. Chad, meanwhile, worried about making enough money to cover Della’s medical costs. Both eventually reached a breaking point and realized the division of labor didn’t work. “It was isolating,” Chad says.
The couple sought therapy, which they found extremely helpful. “We always encourage parents to go, even by themselves,” Caitlin says. “Getting help is kind of embarrassing, but it can help solve problems. I would mortgage my house to pay for it.”
To repair their feelings of isolation, the couple merged roles. Caitlin went back to school to expand her professional opportunities. Inspired by her experience with Della, she is studying augmentative and alternative communication methods. Chad works from home so that he can help with childcare and medical appointments. “It wasn’t until we shared the jobs that we understood how important they were,” Caitlin says.
They hope that communicating the challenges they’ve faced will help other couples. “Someone recently said to us, your marriage is so great, you’re lucky to have each other,” Chad recalls. “I was quick to say, no, we almost got divorced. We made this.”
Simons VIP on ASXL3
Simons VIP ASXL3 Facebook page
Facebook group for ASXL3 families
SFARI GENE entry on ASXL3
Scientific papers on ASXL3:
Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome caused by loss-of-function variants in ASXL3: a recognizable condition
Delineating the phenotypic spectrum of Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome: 12 new patients with de novo, heterozygous, loss-of-function mutations in ASXL3 and review of published literature
Genetic analysis
SPARK family stories
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Forgotten/Found
The tourism industry calls it “ruin porn” – a chic fascination with landmarks in decay. Pennsylvania is filled with historic, vacated places just waiting to be explored. To coincide with this growing trend in abandoned tourism, WQED visits a few unique, offbeat attractions.
Pittsburgh has long been a vibrant mix of technology and tradition, a blending of ethnic customs and civic pride. As our city and its people evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century, Pittsburgh continues to grow: inspiring new ideas, new businesses and a changing landscape. But can we create a better quality of life for all our communities? How do we make it a city where young people of color can stay and prosper? And how do we make our businesses more equitable and inclusive?
Before Stage Four: Confronting Early Psychosis
First-time psychotic episodes are frightening, confusing and distressing for the entire family. Traditionally, teens and young adults experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) have been pulled out of school and/or society – only to begin a lifelong journey of spotty treatment, recurring episodes, and unfulfilled hopes of a career, happy marriage and children. But new research shows a significant success rate for people who receive proper, coordinated care after a first episode. This documentary shows who’s leading the FEP treatment movement, while families share personal stories of heartbreak, success and hope. The program also explores fascinating research on young adult brains that could lead to life-changing treatment of psychosis.
Visit the "Living with Mental Illness" website
Come By Here: A History of Five Churches
Church has always been an important part of African-American life. While Western Pennsylvania is blessed with hundreds of predominantly black churches, this documentary focuses on just five - but each with a very different story: a church with ties to the underground railroad (Bethel A.M.E. in Monongahela), one known for its rich music program (Mount Ararat Baptist in Pittsburgh's Larimer neighborhood), a small church soldiering on despite dwindling membership (Allen Chapel A.M.E.
Caregivers: For Our Aging Population
The number of seniors is rising dramatically in the United States. But the number of medical professionals and family members who can provide care for these older adults is seriously lagging. WQED is proud to partner with Highmark Blue Cross, Blue Shield in this multi-platform project that includes a television documentary and digital-first content focusing on challenges for both the aging seniors and their caregivers.
Visit the Caregivers Website
As the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump nears, moderator Chris Moore sits down with a group of local voters who talk openly about who they voted for in the presidential election and why. Voters explain the campaign messages that appealed to them, and discuss whether they feel post-election healing is a possibility.
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Death of a Bureaucrat
A young man attempts to fight the system in an entertaining account of bureaucracy amok and the tyranny of red tape.
Tomás Gutiérrez Alea
Spanish 2.0
Reviewed by ar656 10 / 10 / 10
It is easier to kill a bureaucrat than to kill bureaucracy.
This film is not just superb, but it is also a homage to movies in general. This is a comedy, a tragedy, a parody, and a documentary. Why is this film so important to people who have never lived in Cuba? Because, like every work of art from the beginning of civilization, it is applicable the old Arab saying of "write about your street, and you will be writing about the world." Anyone who has ever dealt with the Tax Office, the Immigration Board, the City Bylaws Enforcement, the European Union office of standards, the Human Resources Department, the Phone Company, the Big Bank, the Insurance Company, or any other office of some big organization will immediately recognize the situations shown in this film. A must see.
Reviewed by Aw-komon 8 / 10 / 10
How many films from 1966 are still relevant today?
Forget post-revolutionary Cuba; right here in America, in 2000, there is enough bureaucracy for the comedic lessons of Alea's great film about people's propensity to conform at all costs to absurd restrictions from 'above' and cause misery to others rather than risk the slightest insecurity to themselves, to be driven home painfully. This is a really funny film but one that makes you think, like Tati's 'Playtime,' Fellini's early films or some of Bunuel's. This film is deeply critical and ridicules everything that is part and parcel of government enforced socialism. You can't fault Castro for not having a sense of humor, if he agreed to release this film. Leo Beower's understated music is, as always, excellent.
Reviewed by juliomontoya2000 8 / 10 / 10
A very good movie with lots of imagination to spare
For a movie that was released 40 years ago, this one has aged particularly well. I think I'm not exaggerating by saying that this movie represents something of a precursor of the Monty Python movies, alas, not so irreverent. But the way it deals with the topic, and the imaginative gags and inter-cuts that it has, can only remind you of those English geniuses. But is also many things. A little of Three Stooges here. Even a little Chaplin there... How you can make something funny out of the situation of a family (the main character and his aunt) that cannot get his relative buried, and have to keep him home until the red tape is overpowered, without losing sight of the human touch and their despair?. You'd need a very skillful director to juggle all that successfully. I Haven't seen or heard of a Latin American movie like this one. It must be considered a milestone in Latin American cinema (and certainly, in world cinema). Regretfully, not the style, or the genius of the director Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, seem to have had dedicated followers. I'm afraid that has something to do with the Cuban origin, not because of Cuban backlash, but because of lack of interest or attention over Cuban art during the 60's. Latin America has produced a lot of movies, but most of them are dead serious. When somebody comes with the idea of a comedy, it is very light, unfunny and clichéd, nothing to tell the world about, with very few exceptions. That's why I was surprised by LA MUERTE DE UN BURÓCRATA and I highly recommend it, if you can find it somehow.
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Newsstand Sales End 2011 on Down Note
The entire magazine industry was down an average of 10 percent during the second half of last year, with some fashion titles falling much harder.
By Amy Wicks on February 8, 2012
WALKING BY THE NEWSSTAND: Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Aniston and Heidi Klum were big sellers for fashion magazines during the second half of last year but apparently not big enough to stop a slide at newsstand. The entire magazine industry was down an average of 10 percent — no doubt partially a function of the struggling economy — and some fashion titles fell much harder, according to Audit Bureau of Circulations. Elle reported the biggest decline in the fashion category, down 18.3 percent to an average 241,339 copies. InStyle had the highest single-copy average during the period, with 561,630, but that figure represented a 14.2 percent decrease over the prior year.
Allure’s second half was down 13.3 percent to 130,901, and Glamour was at the industry average, selling an average of 469,544 copies. Marie Claire wasn’t far behind, falling 8.9 percent to 231,054 and W’s newsstand was down 7.4 percent to 20,426. Harper’s Bazaar’s single-copy sales fell 7.3 percent to 147,194. Vogue was down 5.6 percent to 348,850 and Lucky down 5.5 percent to 159,266.
This story first appeared in the February 8, 2012 issue of WWD. Subscribe Today.
Beyond the fashion category, there were even more notable declines. Vanity Fair reported a 20 percent drop on newsstand, to 323,946, during the half. A Vanity Fair spokeswoman attributed this to the fact that the second half of 2010 was the best performing period in the magazine’s history.
Then there’s O, The Oprah Magazine. The Hearst title fell 32 percent to average 413,363 copies on newsstand. This follows recent news that the magazine dropped 24 percent in advertising during the first quarter of this year, according to Media Industry Newsletter. Clearly things aren’t going well for Oprah right now, given her struggling TV network. But there may be a glimmer of hope: the January issue is up 28 percent, selling 825,000 at newsstand.
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New Children's Books "Your Inside Shape" and "Who's Going to Be You?" Written to Inspire an Appreciation for Individuality in Kids
Two New Books Focus on Helping Kids Aged 4 to 11 Build Self-Confidence.
Two new children's books help children discover their passions, interests and talents while encouraging them to appreciate the uniqueness of others.
Boston, MA-NH (1888PressRelease) September 24, 2013 - Today, author Christine Sarno-Doyle announces the release of two new children's books that help children discover their passions, interests and talents while teaching and encouraging them to appreciate their uniqueness and to respect the unique qualities in others. "Your Inside Shape" and "Who's Going To Be You?" are for pre-and elementary school children ages 4-11.
"Christine Sarno-Doyle has her finger on the pulse of what today's kids need to hear," states Tammy Fletcher, M.A., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego, California. "'Your Inside Shape' is a brightly colored picture book for younger children that celebrates inner selves over outward appearances. In 'Who's Going to Be You?', Ms. Sarno-Doyle carries a similar message of positivity and self-acceptance to kids roughly between the ages of 8 and 11. Your mileage may vary however - even as an adult I found the books primary messages - being open to listening to inner wisdom and nurturing one's own inner strengths - to be an inspiration. In a day and age where even elementary school children are caught up in comparing themselves to others and struggle with self-esteem, Ms. Sarno-Doyle is a welcome voice in helping kids feel good about themselves."
In "Your Inside Shape," Sarno-Doyle offers readers a lesson in individuality and helps young children realize their own unique potential. With easy-to-follow poetic verse and guided illustrations, "Your Inside Shape" joins Orion and his friends as they learn that what's on the inside is more important than what's on the outside. Children will enjoy learning how to discover their own passions, interests, and talents and how these inside "shapes" will be carried with them their entire lives. This original picture book explains in simple terms how to discover those inner qualities and appreciate them while respecting the qualities of others.
"Who's Going to Be You?," Sarno-Doyle's second book, follows up on these themes with the story of a little girl named Darcie who struggles with feelings of being different and not fitting in. Darcie learns why differences are not only important but essential in life. From adults in her life, as well as some funny forest animals who live along the path she travels from her house to the park, she learns to respect the unique qualities in all that surrounds her and to embrace her uniqueness and to finally value herself.
To learn more about the books, visit http://www.ChristineSarnoDoyle.com.
"Your Inside Shape," http://www.YourInsideShape.com, and "Who's Going to Be You?," http://www.WhosGoingToBeYou.com, both published by SDP Publishing, are available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Both books are available in print and Kindle versions.
Christine Sarno-Doyle is an inspirational writer who's published a number of motivational articles. Bringing her unique style to this new children's series, she describes her writing purpose as a means to empower others specifically in their quest to discover, and focus on, their individuality. "I'm all about personal growth and empowerment, and my hope is that what I offer will inspire others," said Sarno-Doyle. Her articles can be found at www.ChristineSarnoDoyle.com.
Visit Christine Sarno-doyle Website
Christine Sarno Doyle
Christine Sarno-doyle
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Census Bureau forms Coronavirus Task Force
by: Alexandra Limon
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — 2020 census mailings are showing up in mailboxes all over the country.
The Director of the U.S. Census Steve Dillingham said because of the global coronavirus pandemic it is more important than ever for people to self-report.
“A total of five mailings they will receive and one of those mailings will actually have the questionnaire,” Dillingham said.
For the first time ever, people have to option to take the census survey online. You can also take it on the phone or mail in your questionnaire.
Your census mailing will contain an ID number, streaming the process of using the online resources.
“You can answer in 13 languages including English, we also online have assistance, we have videos etc. to help you in 59 languages,” Dillingham said.
In an effort to try to slow the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Census is delaying plans to send out door-knockers who can collect the survey in person.
“We think that can be avoided and we hope its avoided, again by getting people to self respond… if they do that, there are no health concerns whatsoever,” Dillingham said.
Before going into self-quarantine, Florida Senator Rick Scott stressed the data gathered in the census shapes our government.
“Funds come from the federal government that way. we get the number of congressmen and women that way,” Scott said.
The 2020 census is scheduled to be completed by July 31 but the bureau said that deadline may have to be adjusted.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- A Las Vegas man described as the chief architect of a telemarketing scam that took $43 million from Americans has had his prison sentence commuted -- one of the final actions of President Donald Trump.
Kyle Kimoto was one of 70 people whose sentences were commuted early Wednesday. Trump also pardoned 73 others, announcing early Wednesday a list of those granted clemency with less than 12 hours left in his four-year term.
by Rocky Nash / Jan 20, 2021
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- SNHD will provide a COVID-19 vaccine update today at 1 p.m. According to the health district, there have been 21,081 COVID-19 vaccines administered in Clark County as of Jan. 5, with the first vaccines distributed on Dec. 14.
8 News Now will stream the update here on our website and Facebook page.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- Las Vegas sports bettor Billy Walters, who was convicted on insider trading charges, had his sentence commuted early Wednesday by President Donald Trump, ending a bitter battle that lasted for years.
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'A huge surprise to us': Martial arts business owner says they never received ticket despite city's report
Published Wednesday, November 25, 2020 10:22AM CST Last Updated Wednesday, November 25, 2020 5:39PM CST
Source: Jon Hendricks
WINNIPEG -- The City of Winnipeg has fined another business for not following public health orders put in place by the province.
On Nov. 20, TRP Academy was issued a $5,000 ticket, with the city saying it was fined for operating when it was required to be closed.
TRP Academy is located at 95 Scurfield Blvd and is a Taekwondo and Hapkido school that teaches programs for children and adults.
Jae Park, who is the owner of the academy said he has not actually received a fine, but they have closed down while they try to sort out the matter with the government.
He said they had originally closed down all martial arts activities when the province put the restrictions in place, but he said they still run a daycare program for students before and after school.
"I got a call from the inspector, I gave him some information. He wasn't too sure what he was supposed to do," said Park. "So he said he was going to call his supervisor and give me a callback. He did so, after that, he said his supervisor didn't know what to do about the situation," with Park adding he was told to call the COVID helpline for the province.
The confusion that has come from the situation is Park said they are not technically licensed as a daycare centre, saying they operate just like a daycare run from someone's home, and therefore no one knows if he is allowed to be open.
"There's a lot of grey area that they are actually sifting through. It took the weekend, plus a couple days, for the province to figure out which department should actually be handling this."
When it comes to the fine, Park said he was very surprised to hear that he had been fined, as no one, not even the inspector, said they would be ticketed.
"Even when I spoke to him on the phone I said 'So what is happening here, are you fining us? I don't understand why we have to close down and for what reason,' he couldn't give me any answers, he didn't say we were fined. So this is all coming as a huge surprise to us."
What frustrates Park is the uncertainty at every level and how no one knows what he can do.
"When the inspector who comes can't provide information as to why they are shutting us down or why they are asking us to and can't even provide the right information even after speaking with a supervisor, how are we as citizens supposed to know what we're supposed to do when the enforcement people don't even know, when the government really doesn't know."
Park said he has been following all guidelines since day one and if they give him a clear reason on why they need to close down, then he will follow those rules. He also said he hopes he doesn't receive a ticket after talking with the media.
The city also issued six separate fines to people for not wearing masks throughout Winnipeg.
Two tickets were handed out on Nov. 18, two on Nov. 20, and two on Nov. 21.
Each ticket was worth $298.
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women who composed
the lives and music of the many women of classical music
Composer Bio
Topic Thursday
The Woman Behind Chopsticks
Post author By lisanewillsmith_soprano
No Comments on The Woman Behind Chopsticks
Today’s Topic Thursday is about one of the most well-known piano pieces of all time. No, I’m not talking about Claire de lune or Moonlight Sonata. I’m talking about Chopsticks.
If you ever had a music class in school, you probably tried this easy ditty out, and if you had a piano at home, you likely drove your parents mad by playing it over and over.
But… did you know Chopsticks was written by a woman? Although it was published under a male pseudonym, Euphemia Allen, a Glaswegian, wrote “The Chop Waltz” as a 16-year-old.
Euphemia Allen
Euphemia Amelia Nightingale Allen was born in 1861 in Glasgow to a musical family. Her father was a highly regarded dance instructor and her brother, Mozart Allen, went on to become a music publisher.
In 1877, Euphemia composed “The Chop Waltz”, at the tender age of 16. She published two versions to allow for solo playing or a duet. It earned the title chopsticks because she instructed players to hit the keys with a chopping motion.
Euphemia went on to become a piano teacher and a music publisher, but never published another piece of her own.
Chopsticks is probably one of the most widely known piano pieces. I had no idea who it was by, let alone that a woman wrote it, until a few weeks ago. It’s been featured in other composers’ works, movies, TV shows, and pop music. From Sesame Street to Bugs Bunny, Chopsticks is everywhere.
Next time you hear someone say “but if women wrote good music, it’d be well-known” send them a recording of Chopsticks.
By lisanewillsmith_soprano
American soprano Lisa Newill-Smith’s Despina was described by the Hastings Observer as “one of the must subtle performances I can recall, splendidly sung and totally alive to the text.” 2019/2020 highlights included a role debut as Servilia. In 2020, she transitioned to lyric soprano, studying roles like Ilia, Infantin, Marguerite, and Giulietta. In previous seasons, she has sung Despina, Echo (Ariadne auf Naxos), Gretel, Hélène (Hin und Zurück), Prima Ancella (Medea), Josephine (H.M.S. Pinafore) and Wanda (La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein). Lisa has performed in two world premieres, and is an advocate for the performance of classical music written by women. She has been a finalist in the Iuventas Canti Competition, Chicago Oratorio Award and the Opera Classica Europa competition.
← Resources for Learning About Black Women Composers → “Feminine” Instruments
© 2021 women who composed
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Flaherty switches course on pension reform, much to Alberta's delight: Minister backs away from bolstering CPP
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has shelved plans for a modest enhancement of the Canada Pension Plan and instead is pitching a new private-sector pension plan to help Canadians prepare for retirement.
The initiative, to be called Pooled Registered Pension Plans, is revealed in a letter Flaherty sent to his provincial counterparts in advance of a meeting of finance ministers in Kana naskis on Monday.
The surprise move was welcomed by Alberta, which has long opposed an expansion of the CPP. But it drew conflicting reaction from other quarters -- including those who charge the federal minister has caved to the demands of business -- and set the stage for a vigorous debate among finance ministers next week.
"It's a multi-jurisdictional challenge to get a consensus on the CPP," Flaherty said at a news conference in Ottawa on Thursday. "There are no quick or easy solutions on CPP. Several provinces have concerns that remain unresolved."
It is a significant shift for Flaherty, who just six months ago was touting enhancement of the government-run CPP. Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach. praised his change of heart.
"The fact the federal government has backed off increasing CPP contributions is good news because at this critical stage -- given that we have a fragile economy, businesses are struggling -- it would have been another significant contribution in a tax on behalf of our private sector," Stelmach said, speaking in Calgary.
Alberta Finance Minister Ted Morton, who was unavailable for an interview, said in a news release that Ottawa's previously proposed solution of expanding CPP "was a shotgun approach that would have been ineffective and economically damaging."
He noted that Alberta has been promoting this type of private-sector pension with British Columbia for the past three years.
"The one stumbling block for broader implementation had been a lack of interest in Ottawa," Morton said, suggesting Ottawa's change of heart came from provincial prodding.
In Ottawa, the Liberal and NDP accused Flaherty of failing to show leadership and of buckling to pressure from the business community. Closer to home, Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan said he believes Ottawa has given in to a lobby effort from those companies that sell financial services to Canadians.
"It's hard to look at this flip-flop as anything other than a huge Christmas present for the banks and the private investment industry," he said.
CPP expansion would give Canadians a lower-cost vehicle for investing retirement savings, compared with private options, McGowan added.
Despite the criticism, Flaherty said his proposal is what's best for the country. Flaherty said it is critical to provide a private pension plan for those workers, and also to encourage people in their 20s, 30s and 40s to start preparing for retirement now.
It is estimated six in 10 Canadian workers in the private sector have no private pension plan. Furthermore, only one-third of Canadians make contributions to RRSPs.
The federal finance minister described his scheme as a major step forward that would spur pension plans to provide more retirement security for Canadians -- especially for those workers who are self-employed or who work for small firms that don't offer pension plans.
Under the proposal, a company could arrange for a regulated financial institution to operate a plan, thereby reducing the cost and complexity for small businesses to participate. Similarly, for self-employed workers, the PRPP would be "accessible" without having a connection to an employer. They would simply have the option to participate in a "large-scale, pooled-pension plan" that is administered by a private-sector financial institution.
Flaherty said he hopes it will be in place within one year. "It's clear that it will work."
At the finance ministers' last annual meeting in June, Flaherty and the provincial treasurers focused on ways to improve the pension system and they are expected to return to the topic next week. At that time, Flaherty said a solid majority of the provincial ministers had endorsed the idea of increasing CPP contributions from employers and employees to boost the value of the benefits when they retire. Flaherty acknowledged at the time that support for the direction was not unanimous. But he then indicated he was optimistic there would be enough provincial backing to make it happen.
But at the news conference Thursday, he signalled this option is on the back burner because of provincial opposition. Changes to the CPP require the support of two-thirds of the provinces and two-thirds of the population.
In recent months, the business community had also strongly complained that an increase in CPP contributions would amount to another tax burden.
Canadian Federation of Independent Business Alberta director Richard Truscott said the CPP proposal would have been acceptable if it simply meant a pension premium increase for employees, and had not included employers still struggling with the economic downturn. Employees should shoulder more of the burden, he said, as it boils down to deferred personal savings.
"For employers, it's simply a payroll tax. There's no net benefit," he said.
Truscott said groups advocating for a CPP premium increase "seriously underestimate the impact on the economy."
In Ontario, the provincial government said that while it also likes the proposed private pension plan, it shouldn't be used as an excuse to drop enhancements of the CPP. Dwight Duncan sent a letter to other provincial treasurers and Flaherty urging them not to give up on enhancing the CPP.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said Flaherty's move away from the CPP toward a "private option" displays a lack of leadership.
Calgary Herald, Fri Dec 17 2010
Byline: Mark Kennedy and Kelly Cryderman
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Pensions and Benefits AFL in the News
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Alton Fletcher
Novelist, Poet, Essayist
Hardly a Fortnight
I was minding my own business, which is a good practice in such a hyper-critical society. I recommend it, whenever possible. But, sometimes the business of others intrudes on our own, as happened a little while ago, when I was walking in my neighborhood, listening on earbuds to an audiobook. As I passed a well-kept house on a nearby corner, I smiled at a group of young kids playing in the street. The oldest among them was a girl, maybe eleven, twelve years old. They were tossing a football, and it brought back good memories of a bygone era.
“Hey mister!”
I saw one of them waving out of the corner of my eye. I looked in the direction of the voice. It turned out to be the oldest girl, a head taller than the boys with her. She was hailing me. She called again. I took the earbud out of my right ear.
The way she was waving, I thought she wanted me to go long — maybe run a corner pattern.
“Do you play Fortnite?” she yelled.
She rolled her eyes. “Geez, mister. For the third time, do you play Fortnite?”
I’m sure I looked puzzled, because I was, not being familiar with any game that takes longer than a rainy afternoon to play. “What is ‘fortnight’?”
She looked at her friends, and then back at me. They laughed. “It’s a game.”
Not at all sure where this was going, nevertheless I bit. “What kind of game?”
“It’s a video game. Where you kill people.”
“Oh, a video game. No, I don’t know about that. How do you kill them?”
“With a gun.”
“Oh. How many people have you killed?”
She shrugged. “Twenty thousand or so. Maybe.”
My eyebrows must have raised a bit. The other kids around her tried to impress me with their own body counts.
“Wow. Is that fun?”
“Yeah. It’s a blast.” The girl tossed the football up in the air and watched it come back down.
“I see. What do your mom and dad think about that?”
She shrugged again. “They don’t care.”
“Maybe they should.” I was a little anxious to think the parents might be watching me through the windows of the house, wondering why this strange, bearded man was talking to their children.
Discretion being the better part of valor, and wanting to keep peace with my neighbors, I smiled and waved, then returned to my walk, plugging my earbud back in. I’d probably missed at least a paragraph in the book that I was listening to, subtitled “An Antidote to Chaos.” As it so happened, I had just started Chapter Five, “Don’t Let Your Children Do Anything That Makes You Dislike Them.”
I started the chapter over and turned up the volume, resolved to go home and find out more about this (I hate to use the term) game. Turns out, to my dismay, Fortnite is a very popular survival game in which the player tries to be the last one standing, after killing off everyone else in sight with an assault rifle.
The times they are a-changing, as young Bobby Zimmerman used to sing when I was a kid. (Names change, too, along with the times.) Back then, my friends and I loved to play football anywhere, anytime — in a field, in the street, wherever. My sisters didn’t. In the fifty years since, something remarkable has changed. And it’s not just that today more little girls enjoy tossing a football with friends.
When I was not much older than those kids, my father bought me a gun. It was a .22 rifle. He taught me never to point it at anyone. Never even to pretend to shoot someone else. Never. Because that’s how bad things happen. My friends had guns, too. Their fathers told them the same thing.
We didn’t have video games, though. And we never had school shootings. Never.
These days, it seems that there’s hardly a fortnight between such awful events as mass shootings in our schools and in our streets. Perhaps it wouldn’t take us that long to figure out why, if we set aside the remote or the mouse and really thought about it.
The Infringement to Self-Control
On the night of October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip, leaving 58 people dead and 546 injured. It was the deadliest mass-shooting committed by an individual in the United States, to date. We still don’t know why it happened.
He must have snapped. That must be it. How else can you explain it? How could a single, seemingly normal human being suddenly become a gunman, determined to kill or wound as many other human beings as possible?
Gunman is an interesting word. It would seem to intimate that the gun and the man become one, as though the man loses his human essence, transformed instantly into some other kind or species by using a gun to commit a crime.
Well, if he snapped, so could anyone else who owns a gun, right? It only makes sense. We should do something to prevent that from ever happening again. Pass a law. Why doesn’t somebody pass a law? Do something to stop the gunmen. Stop the apocalypse.
The fact is, no law would have prevented it, and no law will prevent it from happening again. Maybe next time a hundred people will die. Then, that event will be the worst killing spree in American history. And so on. If not with guns, then with a truckload of fertilizer.
America has always had guns. James Madison, the man most scholars consider to be the Father of the Constitution, said that Americans were blessed to have the right to arm themselves, which no other nation on earth afforded its citizens, because they couldn’t be trusted. He also said that the liberty of a free people depends upon the self-control of individual citizens. The more they lose the ability of self-control, the less freedom they have, because more laws are needed to govern them. He was right.
America has always had guns, but we have not always had the level of relentless violence that we see all around us, every day. We can’t turn on the news without seeing it or hearing about it. We have become a society that practices violence, while professing peace. We promote violence as a way to solve problems and to provide escape from them. No more proof is needed than to look objectively at the music, books, movies, TV shows, video games, and even sports that we support with our wallets every day. Even a “good” hockey game must include at least one fight. The fact is, we have come to love violence in this country. No other culture exhibits such a love of violence.
Let’s face it. Anyone can be violent. Nobody is immune. We all have it in us. Road rage is more common and closer to home than we’d like to admit. What is violence, but the loss of self-control in expressing anger or frustration? With the continual increase in violence in America, it’s obvious that we’re losing the ability to control ourselves, to govern ourselves.
That’s scarier than any gun.
Unless we find a remedy for such prolific violence, we will lose our freedoms, little by little. By steady erosion, we’ll eventually lose the Second Amendment. Then, the First. Then, the Fourth, and so on, until we find ourselves in thrall to a despotic government. Our lawmakers and those in power will be pressured to make more and more laws to fix a problem that can’t be fixed by any law.
It is up to us, as individual citizens, to find a remedy to the love of violence in our culture. But, unless we seek such a remedy, we won’t find it. “Seek and ye shall find,” says the book that many profess to love, but hardly anyone ever reads anymore, and even fewer practice its teachings. One might readily and rightly conclude that the increase in the love of violence has come with the decrease in the love of scripture.
One thing is for certain. Neither the culprit nor the remedy will ever be found in a gun cabinet, empty or otherwise.
Self-Righteousness is No Virtue; Forbearance is No Vice.
So much of the vitriol in public conversation these days stems from self-righteousness, or so it seems to me. My motives are better than yours. My ideas are smarter than yours. My feelings are more caring than yours. My thoughts are more thoughtful than yours. When we think this way, it’s an easy jump to say, “I no longer need to listen to you, anymore.” Unfriend. It’s that simple. Unfriend. Unfriend. Unfriend. Delete. Delete. Delete. Are you sure? Yes. Delete. Now, we’re comfortable among our own. The divisions grow. And a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Forbearance, on the other hand, allows us to say, instead, “I might learn something from you. Maybe there is another way to look at this. I hadn’t thought of that.” It comes from the humility of understanding that nobody knows everything about anything. Come, let us reason together.
True Progress
How often we have been urged toward progress by the politicians, academicians, and artists among us. We must constantly change, or we die, so we are told. Change is progressive, and therefore, desirable. Tradition is regressive, and so passé. In American society today, we are constantly admonished to “move forward” on all matters, social, political, and cultural.
Do we not need tradition, as well as change? And is change necessarily progress? Some of the most beautiful cities of the world, despite modernity, have managed to retain their old-world charm, at least in part.
“Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be.”
Movement toward the future in haste, without regard to the past, is never progress. Neither is movement in the wrong direction. The renowned writer and professor, C.S. Lewis, put it best, perhaps. “Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.”
More important than progress is the necessity to hold to core values, to be guided by them, or else we lose our way. If change requires us to abandon our core values and cherished traditions that define us as individuals or as a society, then we are lost in a storm of constant change without purpose, the way a ship is lost at sea without a constant star or compa ss to point the way to the desired destination.
Wise is the one who stands at a crossroads and considers the way.
Ninety Percent of the Time
Cormac McCarthy writes books that pull back the drapes to look full well upon the human condition. That is, the human condition unredeemed. I think he does it for a purpose, because his main characters always seem ripe for redemption. At least, they are searching for it. They are usually “good” people, surrounded by evil, who are looking for a way out.
In No Country for Old Men, an especially hard novel to read for its unfettered violence, a county sheriff in rural Texas during the early 1980s is confronted by an evil that he has never before witnessed in his lifetime, and never heard about from others before him. It is an evil in the form of a single relentless killer without remorse or inhibition, driven by a logic all his own, leaving human lives destroyed in his wake.
As he confronts this evil, the sheriff ruminates how his job has changed over time. In the beginning, when he was a younger man, the “old time” sheriffs rarely even carried firearms. And they knew the people they were hired to protect by name, often by phone number. Not the case so much, anymore. People come and go, and society is more transient. Yet, even in his current day, sheriffs are counted upon to do their duty and enforce the law, using the least force necessary and without abuse of the citizens, despite the few laws that govern their actions. Does it work? “Ninety percent of the time,” Sheriff Bell says. “It takes very little to govern good people. Very little. And bad people cant be governed at all. Or if they could I never heard of it.”
But those days are gone.
If what Sheriff Bell says is true, and I think it is, then what does that say about our society? We often hear some people say that things aren’t getting worse in our country as time goes by. They’re actually getting better. The violent crime rates are down, they say. Maybe that’s true. But the crimes that are committed seem to be getting ever more vicious over time. And that has little to do with the weapons being used, and everything to do with those who are using them.
One indication of the true state of things is the number of laws that govern us today, as opposed to twenty, thirty, or fifty years ago. We have more laws than ever before, restricting our freedoms and telling us how we must behave. If it takes very little to govern good people, and yet we need more and more laws to govern our society, then what does that say about us? Are we becoming a bad people, ungovernable even by the many laws already imposed upon us? Why are so many more laws necessary today?
Our founders believed firmly that people could govern themselves, but only if they remained a moral people. As John Adams put it, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Was he right?
Perhaps we are soon to find out. Fewer and fewer people attend religious services of any kind on a regular basis these days. The name of God and the person of Christ are despised and mocked more and more, rather than revered as they once were in this country. Our marriages and families are falling apart. Folks don’t even bother to learn their neighbors’ names, much less who they are. Our people have less and less respect for authority. Our leaders aren’t trustworthy, because our people don’t care enough to hold them accountable for their lies and deceit. Nothing like the “old times.” This is a true state of affairs, isn’t it? At least, ninety percent of the time now, it would seem.
Time for redemption, before America becomes no country for old men, or anyone else who might care about human decency.
Life is Choice
Life is Choice. As Americans, every moment of our conscious lives, we are blessed with the ability to choose. We make small, seemingly insignificant choices, and we make large, momentous decisions. Each of those choices contributes to who we are, and who we become over time. We can’t control everything that happens in our lives, but we can choose how we respond.
Choices have consequences. I’m reminded of the often quoted lines from “The Road Not Taken,” one of Robert Frost’s most famous poems:
“I shall be telling this with a sigh / Somewhere ages and ages hence: / Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.
”
In my younger days, that poem was a favorite among those who saw themselves as non-conformists, bent on being fiercely self-reliant, in the tradition of Thoreau. That bent was fairly popular back in the sixties and seventies. We failed to understand, however, that we had entirely missed Frost’s point. You see, the poem is not about the road less traveled by. It is about the road not taken, as the title clearly indicates. In fact, Frost clearly makes the point in saying that the road he chose, though he fancied it as being less traveled, was really no more or less desirable than the other:
“And both that morning equally lay / In leaves no step had trodden black.”
So, though he committed to one road over the other based merely on his own perception, it was impossible to say which would have been a better road for him to travel. All he could say for certain was that his choice had “made all the difference.” But, he doesn’t really say whether that difference was good or bad.
Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken,” then, is not a celebration of the fact that he had sought his own, unique way, but a realization that he would never know which way was better, and a lament that he could never go back and take the other.
The older I become, the more I understand and appreciate what Frost meant.
The toughest choices in life are the ones whose outcomes are either unclear or equally desirable in appearance. Isn’t that true? And, isn’t this the way life really is? We cannot know, at least in this life, that we are always making the right choice, especially when we rely solely on our own limited perception. All we can know is that our choices, indeed, will make all the difference. That’s life.
The ability to choose is vitally important to our lives as individuals, as human beings. It is no less important to the life of a nation. We are blessed to live in a nation that offers the freedom to choose. Here’s to good choices.
So much depends upon that one phrase, doesn’t it? A person’s entire worldview is based on what words follow that phrase. Every person, no matter what we are taught as children or as adults, must eventually come on our own to believe what came next, or else we live without regard to who or what we are as human beings. Perhaps some people do that without thinking, or even try to live without any meaningful regard to first beginnings. After all, it is almost football season. What could be more important?
But, no matter how we might try to avoid it, sooner or later, we are faced with deciding — choosing — for ourselves what came next, because that will determine everything that follows. And, nobody on the face of the earth really can know, definitively, what came next, because we weren’t there at the beginning to witness it. And nobody, no human being, (apologies to Mr. Hawking) possesses all knowledge and can say definitively that science can teach us everything we need to know about how the universe began. (We still argue about when an individual human life begins.) We will never, ever be that smart. So, we must decide at some point, based upon what we are able to learn from the world around us and, more importantly, what we believe about what we learn.
Some believe that God created the heavens and the earth and that they have a purpose and an end. Some believe that it all came from nothing out of necessity or by chance and that the end is irrelevant and meaningless. So what? Well, our history as a human race and as human beings is a story. Our individual stories are inextricably woven into the story of human history and the history of the universe, for that matter. They are the same story. As with every story, the end is shaped by the beginning. And the beginning is what we choose to believe. As it is with the universe, so it is with us as a race, so it is with us as a nation, and so it is with us as individual people. It is most important.
Maybe some people don’t care about or lose interest in their stories, or are so harried by strife and turmoil that they can’t see or understand the stories of their lives. Some decide that their stories are absurd nonsense. Perhaps it all depends on how they choose to see their beginnings.
The stories of some of us are cut short too soon. Some end happily. Some end sadly. But the greatest tragedy, I think, are those that just end — finis — mainly because the ones telling them never really decided on how they began.
We love stories. We especially love stories that end well. We find ourselves wanting them to go on forever. I think the ability to tell stories is part of what makes us human. The story we choose to tell is part of what makes us beings, rather than mere living entities. And every story starts with the phrase: “In the beginning.”
How does your story begin?
I am a writer, residing in Virginia. My main genre is historical fiction. I also write a blog when the spirit moves, which includes some of my essays, short stories, narrative sketches, and poetry.
Thoughts Before the Dawn
Well Done, Nephew
Freedom is Not a Virtue
That Fence Hurts
Categories Select Category Essay (4) Essays (7) Fiction (3) Poetry (3) Stories (6)
The Fletcher Page
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Yes, America Can Afford to Dramatically Reduce Poverty and Increase Opportunity
By Rachel West April 14, 2016, 9:05 am
This issue brief contains an update.
In 2014, 46.7 million Americans—more than one in seven—lived in poverty, and nearly half of Americans will experience at least a year of poverty or near-poverty during their working years. Along with causing tremendous human hardship and suffering, poverty is enormously costly to the United States. It hampers educational attainment, reduces health, decreases workforce productivity, and damages the social cohesion of communities. Child poverty alone costs the United States an estimated $672 billion every year—nearly 4 percent of U.S. gross domestic product.
Poverty is not inevitable, particularly not in the richest nation on earth. Rather, its persistence is in large part a result of misplaced priorities and deliberate policy choices. Indeed, it has already been shown—in both past experience and extensive research—that policy choices can make a difference in the lives of low-income families, helping them reach and remain in the middle class. Recently, however, politicians and policymakers have lacked the political will to make many of these policies a priority.
Most good policies are not costless. But the price tags for many poverty-reducing programs pale in comparison with the billions of dollars the United States already spends on tax breaks that primarily benefit wealthy individuals and corporations—funds that could be used to provide adequate nutrition or access to high-quality child care, reduce homelessness, or invest in low-income children and workers. What’s more, the price tags of smart policies do not reflect the substantial public savings the nation experiences from investments that improve health, increase educational attainment, enhance workforce productivity, and boost the economy. To take just one example, every dollar spent on benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, generates an estimated $1.70 in additional economic activity.
The United States can afford to dramatically reduce poverty and increase economic opportunity. Here are four ways in which the U.S. Congress could make an enormous dent in poverty and the opportunity gap—each costing significantly less than the tax breaks Congress currently gives to the wealthy.
Boost effective tax credits for low-income workers and families
The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is one of the nation’s most effective anti-poverty tools, encouraging work and boosting family income. In 2014, it helped more than 6.2 million Americans—including 3.2 million children—avoid poverty. However, low-income workers without qualifying children receive very little help from the EITC; indeed, these so-called childless workers are the only group whom the tax code taxes further into poverty. Lawmakers across the political spectrum—including Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan (R-WI)—have long called for improving the EITC for childless workers. President Barack Obama’s and Speaker Ryan’s similar proposals, which would double the maximum credit to more than $1,000 and lower the minimum age of eligibility from 25 to 21, would help nearly 13 million workers, lifting more than half a million people out of poverty.*
The Child Tax Credit, or CTC, delivers a credit of up to $1,000 per child to families with children. The credit protected about 3 million people from poverty in 2015, including 1.6 million children. Because it is not fully refundable, however, the CTC misses the poorest children entirely, and only about 20 percent of the CTC’s benefits go to families who earn less than $30,000, compared with 60 percent of the EITC.
Expanding the CTC—as proposed by the Center for American Progress in a recent report—would ensure that the credit does not skip the families who need it most. The proposal would also create a supplemental credit—delivered monthly—for families with children younger than age 3. This would nearly double the number of children younger than age 17 who are lifted out of poverty by the CTC and would protect more than two-and-a-half times as many children younger than age 3 from poverty than does the current law.
Reduce hunger and food insecurity
Each year, SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, protect millions of struggling Americans from poverty, including children, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and low-wage working families. SNAP’s nutrition assistance also boosts health outcomes, educational attainment, and earnings over the long term. Currently, the value of SNAP benefits is based on the Thrifty Food Plan, the lowest-cost of the four food plans developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA. At an average of just $1.41 per person for each meal, SNAP benefits—while critical—provide only the “bare bones” of nutritional adequacy. Many families are unable or barely able to stretch these modest benefits until the end of the month: Recipients use nearly 80 percent of SNAP benefits within the first half of each month. Switching to the Low-Cost Food Plan, the second lowest-cost of the USDA’s four plans—would increase SNAP benefits 30 percent. This would dramatically reduce hunger, food insecurity, and poverty, as well as boost long-run economic mobility for struggling families.
End homelessness
Homelessness and housing instability are leading causes—and consequences—of poverty. On any given night in 2015, more than 560,000 Americans faced homelessness, a problem primarily caused by a lack of affordable housing. The housing voucher program plays a crucial role in keeping at-risk households stably housed, yet 3 in 4 eligible families receive no housing assistance due to scant funding.
The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Commission calls for reforming and expanding the Housing Choice Voucher program in order to end homelessness in the United States. Their proposal would provide rental assistance to all 3 million currently unassisted renting households that are extremely low income and cost burdened, meaning that they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing and utilities.
Allow all families to access high-quality child care for their children
Child care is an economic necessity for most families with children: 65 percent of children younger than age 6 have all of their available parents in the workforce. But its cost is prohibitive for many families and especially for low-income families. In 37 states and the District of Columbia, the annual cost of child care for an infant is more than half of what a full-time, minimum-wage worker in that state earns. Existing child care assistance reaches only a small portion of eligible families and is much lower than actual child care costs.
Unable to forego critical income from work, many parents have little choice but to seek out low-quality care, potentially putting their children’s health, safety, and development at risk. The Center for American Progress recently proposed a tax credit that would expand access to affordable high-quality child care, allowing more low-income parents to participate in the work force while promoting their children’s healthy development. High-quality child care is an investment in the nation’s human capital: It increases children’s school readiness and reduces the educational disparities—based on socioeconomic status—that can be predicted long before a child even starts kindergarten.
Radically reducing poverty in America may sound like a costly proposition. But compared with the billions of dollars that lawmakers give away to the wealthy each year, Congress could make a huge dent in poverty at a bargain price. What’s more, investments that reduce poverty today will provide enormous economic opportunity for generations to come. Prioritizing the nation’s struggling families is an investment Americans cannot afford not to make.
Rachel West is an Associate Director for the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress.
* Update, April 15, 2016: This sentence has been updated with new data on the number of workers who would be helped by President Obama’s and Speaker Ryan’s proposals, as well as the number of people who would be lifted out of poverty.
Colin Seeberger
gro.ssergorpnacirema@regrebeesc
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Workout DVDs, Books & Programs
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The Zi'veyn [The Devoted Trilogy #1]
The Sah'niir [The Devoted Trilogy #2]
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Read chapters 1-5 of The Zi'veyn - Book One of The Devoted Trilogy - for free right here!
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Mental Meanderings: Book!
Prepare for a drivelling post; my train of thought got away from me so this post is a little topsy-turvey.
So. My book is ready for printing - not distribution, just a trophy copy. It has been spell-checked and formatted.
And...it is huge. Seriously. We're talking almost 800 pages. Before you scoff, it's fantasy, and a lot happens...but it does feel like I should have split it in two. The trouble is that I never wrote it with that possibility in mind so there's no specific point in the story where splitting it like that would work without rewriting about a third of the whole thing, which I admit I'm not keen to do. If an agent suggested it, I'd do it because revisions are only suggested if they're highly interested in taking it on, but as it is, I'll leave it be. It's a big revision, but not one an agent would be unlikely to suggest unless they weren't interested either way. And if they don't want it, I'm still thinking about self-publishing... so I may yet revise it. Having said that, a kindle or ebook version wouldn't really matter in terms of 'one book or two'.
But either way, I do consider this a bit of a mistake, and you have to learn from them. Every time I write I consider it as more practise - even if I were to become a best-seller, my next book would always be better, either in terms of skill or just story. So, in light of the massiveness of my recent book, I'm trying to keep the option of splitting the story into two parts in the middle of my mind for the next. I'm working on the plan for it and there's already a perfect opportunity half way through where I could split it, but while I'm not going to write it as two books, if by the time I reach that point it's already at 400 pages, I'll probably do it. Otherwise I'm treating it as one story rather than one or two books.
But that's one of the problems with splitting a story into a number of books; even for a trilogy, you need to have three beginnings and three endings. Each book has to be satisfying as a book, even if it's not satisfying as a story because obviously it won't be finished, but the reader will know that going in. But the last time I tried to write a trilogy, I wrote the first book, submitted it, it got rejected, and I abandoned it. Seriously. I have the printed version of the first book in my bookcase opposite me right now, all sad, alone and unfinished.
My logic was simple at the time: why waste my time writing a trilogy if they don't want the first book?
Well, that does make sense, but I did myself no favours when I submitted it to them. I submitted it as just one book; I didn't give them the story as a whole in the synopsis, only that of the first book, and an agent doesn't want to see cliff-hangers until they read the book itself. So of course it was going to be rejected; they had no idea what I was ultimately pitching to them. It could have had a rubbish ending - if it had an ending at all. There was no telling what they would be letting themselves in for.
As such, I'm not going to think about 'books', but 'stories'. If the next story ends up as two books, I won't know that until I'm about half way through, by which point I'll be well and truly committed. Plus the story seems so exciting (at this point - you know, the 'planning and brain-storming' stage) that I don't think I'll want to give it up.
The unfinished trilogy had potential and even my dad is disappointed that I didn't finish it. And it's too late to go back now because it was about 4 years ago that I gave up on it. I have the notes somewhere, but the idea of going backwards isn't inviting, even if I'm a little disappointed I didn't finish it. It took me 2 years - that's 2 years wasted - and I had a flick through the book just a few days ago and found myself laughing at the humour and growing immediately fond of the characters. It's a shame.
I even looked up at Seeg at the time and said "I love my writing style" - he frowned at me, but I think I should love it! I never said it was the best in the world, only that I was happy with it, that I'm proud of it. It's my voice, my attitude; it's how I want to read books. So many voices are different. Compare Richard A. Knaak to Terry Pratchett. Both fantasy writers, and yet their voices are polar opposites.
I don't need to feel bad for being proud of my hard work - no one should, whether it's natural talent or hard-won. It's just not something you should spout about often, I suppose.
Ehh. Anyway, yet again I feel like I'm blathering.
My most recent book, the one I finished months ago, the one I finished revising a couple of weeks ago, has been spell-checked and formatted and is about ready to be printed into a single trophy copy. I'll submit the first three chapters to agents when I've started actually writing my next book, which has nothing at all to do with the last. It's a new world, new people, new sciences, new threats.
I love sciences; I love the technical side of fantasy. I love magic, but I want to know where it comes from and why John and Larry have it and why Lawrence and Billy don't. I want to know how it works, and I want to know how much it can do and, if it has the power to destroy the universe, why has no one done it? And though I've never been interested in people, I find myself drawn to social sciences, too: how people view people with magic, how people with magic view people without; hierarchy, law, respect. Things like that. It builds a deeper world and paves the way for complex stories. And it seems I like complex stories. What I wrote of my trilogy was complicated and full of mystery. The book I just finished is full of secrets, and the next is full of deception. And yes, all three of those words seem to mean the same thing, but they don't.
Mystery - whodunnit? Secrets - what are you up to? Deception - hello, my name is Beth but it's really Jessica.
Different levels of the same thing, and I absolutely love it.
And villains!! I love villains. I love villains far more than heroes. Not always, but often. Sometimes they're just cooler - Naruto, Kakashi and Jiraiya are great, but the Akatsuki are awesome and I love them. I get so excited when I see them.
Sometimes the villains are just sadder - Arthas is the best villain in Warcraft, he was driven and, ultimately, corrupted through his desire to protect. It's a sad story and even when 'we' (Tirion you kill-stealing barstool) killed him in Icecrown I cried like a baby on the cutscene. And I have every time since. Every. Single. Time.
I love a villain you can pity. I don't subscribe to 'evil'. It doesn't exist in exclusivity. Unless the villain is the actual embodiment of evil, I won't accept it. I don't recall if Sauron was the embodiment of evil or not, but he's the closest thing that I will. Someone just being 'evil' isn't good enough.
Humanity (elfity, dwarfity, whatever) means that there must be passion. Passion is neither exclusively positive or negative, it's just the drive that powers the individual. A need for revenge could be driven by either the love for someone they're avenging or the hatred for someone responsible, so what the hell happened to make them need such revenge? An obsession could also be brought about by past events, a lost love, a broken promise, a betrayal. It takes heart for all of this. No, a villain may not agree with something we consider sad or hurtful, and we may not agree with something they consider to be funny. The same can be said for the next five people you see in the street. The differences don't have to be drastic, it's just a different drive, different personal histories, even simply the values someone was raised with. And if someone can hate something, they can love something.
A villain is more important than your hero. A villain is the most important detail. At the end of the day, if there's no villain there can be no hero; if there's no plot or occurrance to stop or a problem to fix, then there is no story. The villain is the root of the book, its foundation, and an 'evil' character is just pointless.
I want a villain whose death you will mourn.
I killed a number of characters in my last book, I shed a tear for about one in five - but the villain was in a league of his own. I needed a hug and I was shaken up for days. Yup, I certainly do get attached to my characters, but there's nothing wrong with that unless you can't bring yourself to end them. Growing too fond and being unable to let them go, that's when a problem comes in. You keep writing just to keep them alive, you can't let them die when they need to. Roleplayers suffer from the same thing, and it's something I learned through Seeg about 6 years ago and really took to heart. "You have to respect your characters enough to let them die" - that's what he said, and he was exactly right.
I'm rambling again. I'm just excited!! I'm nervous, yes, but excited. Printing even just a personal copy of my book, the thought of submitting it in about 4 months, planning and starting a new story - it's all daunting, but it's exciting.
So very, very exciting.
I do read every single comment, and I will try to respond where I can. If you have an important question about my blog or my shop, however, then you might be better off contacting me directly by email. Thanks so much for reading my blog!
10% off for all readers - code: BBE10
Christmas Sock Exchange 2015
October - Ripped In 30 Repeat
It's Not About The Weight - Type 2 Diabetes
Over-Worked & Under-Rested
It's Finished (+ irrelevant 20% celebratory sale)
Kettlercise For Women Vol 1 DVD Review
Kukuwa African Dance Workout DVD Review
Kettlercise For Women - 5 Weeks Later
Sweet Pizza Doughnut Dessert
All content © to me unless otherwise stated. Please DO NOT reproduce anything without my written permission. I may well say yes, but there are circumstances in which I may not wish for anything to be reproduced anyway. Kysharok, particularly, may not be reproduced. If you wish you spread it around, just use links. If you wish to post an intro or segment on your blog or website, please ask first. My inbox is always open.
GNU Terry Pratchett
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Home / 2D animation / anime / misterchristor / news / the prince of egypt / Dragon Ball Sequel Series 'Dragon Ball Super' Announced
Dragon Ball Sequel Series 'Dragon Ball Super' Announced
Chris Perkins April 29, 2015 2D animation, anime, misterchristor, news, the prince of egypt
When Dragon Ball Z: Battle Of Gods was released, it was the first new Dragon Ball movie in 18 years. Since then, another movie has been made, again taking place after the events of the Majiin Buu saga. This summer will see yet more new Dragon Ball anime, this time in the form of a brand spanking new TV series.
Dragon Ball Super is a sequel series, that will take place after the events of the original Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. It will however apparently ignore the events of the now largely forgotten Dragon Ball GT, which aired in 1996-97, immediately following the conclusion of DBZ. The new series will (as with GT) be an original story, not adapted from Akira Toriyama's original manga. However, as with the recent movies, Toriyama is expected to be involved, credited as creator and "original story and character concepts".
Dragon Ball Super will air Sundays from July on Fuji TV in Japan. Western companies will presumably be scrambling to bring this to English-speaking fans as quickly as possible. However, as a hangover from the floptastic Dragon Ball Evolution live-action movie, Fox may have first dibs- which is why it took so long for Battle Of Gods to make it out in English.
The latest movie Dragon Ball Z; Resurrection F will be released in US cinemas this summer via Funimation. No UK release has been confirmed at this time.
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Game Center CX Film Slated for Spring 2014
posted on 2013-07-24 23:57 EDT by Marlene First
The previously revealed Game Center CX: The Movie is slated for release next spring. The movie is based on the television series, Game Center CX , where Arino plays what are apparently infuriatingly difficult retro games, sometimes with the help of his "interns." Namco Bandai Games also announced recently that it would be making a video game based of the television series for the 3DS.
The film was announced in June at a 10th anniversary press conference for the show. When asked who he would want to play him in GameCenter CX The Movie , Arino replied that he would like to be played by either Arata Furuta, Yoshiyoshi Arakawa, Satoshi Tsumabuki, or Joe Odagiri.
North American video distributor Discotek Media released an English-subtitled box set of 12 of the GameCenter CX episodes last October. The distributor changed the show's title to Retro Game Master for North American release.
[Via Siliconcera]
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One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows Game Launches on February 28
posted on 2019-11-15 17:12 EST by Alex Mateo
Game's new trailer reveals Metal Knight, Stinger, Melzargard
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on Friday that the One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows game will launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in North America and Europe on February 28. The game will launch for PS4 and Xbox One in Japan on February 27. The company began streaming a new release date announcement trailer on Friday. The video reveals the characters Metal Knight, Stinger, and Melzargard.
The pre-order bonuses include early access for Saitama (Dream Version) and additional outfits for Saitama.
In the three-on-three action-fighting game, players form teams of three characters to take on an opposing team. If they choose Saitama, characters must survive long enough for him to arrive through the Hero Arrival System. By performing well in battle with only two characters, players can decrease the amount of time it will take for Saitama to arrive.
Previously confirmed characters include Saitama, Genos, Hellish Blizzard, Speed-o'-Sound Sonic, Mumen Rider, Vaccine Man, Deep Sea King, Mosquito Girl, Carnage Kabuto, Terrible Tornado, Silverfang, Atomic Samurai, Tank-Top Master, Tank-Top Blackhole, Tank-Top Tiger, and Metal Bat.
Madhouse and director Shingo Natsume's first 12-episode anime season based on ONE and Yuusuke Murata's One Punch Man manga aired in Japan from October to December 2015. Viz Media and Daisuki both streamed the series outside of Japan as it aired. The anime premiered with an English dub on Adult Swim's Toonami block in July 2016. Viz Media released the first season on home video in North America.
The new season began with a television special on April 2, then the first episode premiered on April 9. Viz Media acquired the master license to the second anime season, including digital streaming, TV broadcast, electronic sell-through, home media, and merchandising rights for North America, Latin America and Oceania. The company is streaming the show as a Hulu exclusive. Crunchyroll is streaming the series in Europe, excluding French- and German-speaking Europe, and in the Middle East and North Africa.
Sources: Press release, Bandai Namco Entertainment's YouTube channel (link 2, link 3) via Gematsu
Disclosure: Bandai Namco Rights Marketing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., is a non-controlling, minority shareholder in Anime News Network Inc.
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Renta! to Release Akudama Drive Manga Digitally in English
posted on 2020-10-02 09:00 EDT by Adriana Hazra
English, Chinese editions launch on October 9
Renta! announced on Thursday that it will digitally release the manga adaptation of Studio Pierrot and Too Kyo Games' original television anime series Akudama Drive in English on October 9. The company will also launch the manga in Chinese on the same day.
The series delayed its premiere date in July to a premiere on the AT-X channel on October 8 at 9:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m. EDT), and then it will run on the BS NTV, Sun TV, Tokyo MX, KBS Kyoto, and J:Tele channels, as well as on the FOD service. Funimation annnounced in July that it will stream the anime. The anime had been delayed from July to October due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In the story of the anime, long ago the "Kantō" and "Kansei" countries had a war that divided the world. But at the end of the war, Kansei became a vassal to Kantō. However, Kansei's government and police force declined, and crime became rampant. The criminals are called "Akudama."
Ōgaki launched a manga adaptation of the The Unlimited - Hyōbu Kyōsuke spinoff anime in Shogakukan's Shōnen Sunday Super magazine in 2013, and ended it in 2015 with six volumes. He and Shinichi Inotsume published Hōrōsha , a two-chapter manga spinoff of both Takashi Shiina's Zettai Karen Children and The Unlimited - Hyōbu Kyōsuke stories, in Shogakukan's Shonen Sunday S magazine in 2015.
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From Muscat in Oman
I went to the 2nd Colloquium on Astronomy in the Middle East in Al Ain, UAE, yesterday and it was excellant. I delivered my paper on astronomy without a telescope, though one professional astronomer did give me a hard time. However, he was like that with most people. He was absolutely gobsmacked by the material I presented, and found it almost inconceivable that someone could spend thirty years making naked-eye estimates of Saturn, or lie flat on his back for eight hours making one observation every two minutes of SX Phoenicis. I told him afterwards, "I really did it," to which he replied "I could never make my students do that. It takes a lot of patience even to make one variable star estimate, let alone 180 of one object in a night or engage in a thirty year project. How on earth did you manage to discover SN1987A?" "With the naked eye!" I replied.
There was a panel discussion on the establishment of a Gulf astronomical society. Delegates were present from Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. There are about five observatories in Saudi now, but all are professionally run, but there is no organisation for amateurs.
by Collin Henshaw
#Discovery
Stargazing March 2014
In our meeting on 7th March the skies cleared and most of the 40 members went into the car park...
Stargazing in 2014
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Nasdaq continues to fall
Anjali Arora (ARN)
A wholesale dumping of technology stocks continued on Wednesday morning US time, extending the Nasdaq's steep losses into a third day. The index fell another 3 per cent, or 129.81 points, to 3926.09 by midday.
The drop followed more Microsoft losses. The company fell 5 per cent in the morning after cautious analyst commentary on its growth. Another big loser was Compuware, which dropped 37 per cent amid disappointment over its earnings, losing $US7.50, to $12.56.
Microsoft and Compuware were the two most actively traded stocks on the Nasdaq in morning trading, but they weren't the only tech issues to lose ground. Cisco Systems lost 5 per cent to $66.13. Sun Microsystems added to recent losses with an additional 6 per cent drop to $82.88. IBM was down 4 per cent at midday to $114.31, and Intel lost almost 3 per cent to $127.19.
Yahoo was a rare exception in the tech sector, reversing a recent downslide with a 5 per cent gain to $140 at midday. But internet peers Amazon.com and Inktomi dropped 4 per cent each, to $60.63 and $129.50, respectively. Internet Capital Group also lost 10 per cent to $51.75.
But the Dow retained its confident posture in morning training. Building on recent gains, it was up 121.54 at midday, to 11408.62. Coca-Cola was among its big winners, up nearly 5 per cent to $49.38. Wal-Mart was up 1.5 per cent to $64.31.
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Press Release October 31, 2019
Eskenazi Museum of Art’s Renovated I. M. Pei Building to Reopen
Courtesy Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After a two-and-a-half-year renovation, the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art reopens its doors on Nov. 7, 2019. The Eskenazi Museum has completed a $30 million renovation of its acclaimed I. M. Pei-designed building, which was inaugurated in 1982 and features the architect’s signature triangles and light-filled atrium. When it reopens, the newly renovated museum will be an enhanced teaching resource for Indiana University and southern Indiana, dedicated to engaging students, faculty, artists, scholars, alumni and the wider public through the cultivation of new ideas and scholarship.
The renovation of the Eskenazi Museum of Art’s iconic 112,000 square foot building will underscore the museum’s position as one of the preeminent teaching museums in the country for generations to come. In addition to extensive updates to the building’s infrastructure, the museum has established its first centers for education; conservation; curatorial studies; and the study and display of its prints, drawings and photographs collection. Along with other changes–including removing window tinting, installing a sidewalk in front of the building and mounting a glass wall in the Asian and Islamic gallery allowing guests to see work in the Center for Conservation–these transformations create new ways for visitors to understand what goes on in a university art museum. The renovation also features updated administrative offices and a sky bridge that connects the east and west wings of the building. The project was overseen by Ennead Architects, a leading New York-based firm, under the leadership of Susan T. Rodriguez (who has since established her own practice) with IU’s Capital Projects office and Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf of Indianapolis.
Since its establishment in 1941, the Eskenazi Museum of Art has grown into one of the most significant university art collections in the United States. A distinguished teaching museum, its internationally acclaimed collection – ranging from ancient gold jewelry and African and Oceanic art to paintings by modern masters such as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock–includes more than 45,000 objects representing nearly every art-producing culture throughout history.
“This exciting renovation allows the Eskenazi Museum to become a more open, accessible and welcoming place,” said David A. Brenneman, the museum’s Wilma E. Kelley director. “With the opening this fall will come a more visitor-focused experience, enhanced educational offerings and a convening space for faculty, staff, students and the public. All of this is at the very heart of our mission, and we’re greatly looking forward to sharing it with our community.”
The museum’s dynamic education program serves more than 11,000 university students and more than 4,500 K-12 students from southern and central Indiana each year.
When the museum reopens in fall 2019, it will be an enhanced teaching resource for Indiana University and the region. The creation of four new centers of learning and three new art study rooms provides more opportunities for university students, faculty, preschool through high school students and the public to engage with art.
Lauren Beth Aleph painting at the Eskenazi Museum of Art
The museum sets itself apart with distinctive offerings and resources such as launching A Space of Their Own, which, when it goes online, will provide a comprehensive database of women artists active in the United States and Europe from the 16th to 19thcentury; having the first art therapist in a university museum setting; and being one of only two Big Ten museums with a conservation department and the only one with a paintings conservator. Recent campus partnerships include collaboration with IU’s School of Informatics, providing a training ground for students and faculty to create 3D models of art and test the related technology in a museum setting; as well as a meaningful partnership with the university’s Center for Rural Engagement, to develop and assess art teaching and learning tools for educators and students in rural communities.
Admission to the Eskenazi Museum is always free, thanks to generous donors. Every year more than 80,000 visitors of all ages and backgrounds embark on an extraordinary global journey through the museum’s galleries and programs
Eskenazi Museum of Art
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