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President Biden’s Inauguration: ‘Democracy Has Prevailed’
Four University Graduate Students and Alumni Named Presidential Management Fellowship Finalists for 2021
EDM Wednesday Briefing: Explosion Rocks Downtown Madrid, Kills at Least 3
AMU Law Enforcement Original Public Safety
Expert Witness Chronicles: Police Investigate Claims of Assault and Battery
By Dr. Gary Deel 03/02/2020
Editor’s Note: This is the third of seven articles covering a story based on the author’s involvement as an expert witness in a Florida court case. Read the first article in the series.
By Dr. Gary Deel, Faculty Director, School of Business, American Military University
This case, in which I assisted as an expert witness, involved a mentally disabled minor who was sexually assaulted by a hotel employee in a bathroom late at night after the boy and his brother had gone swimming.
As noted in part two, the parents called in the hotel general manager and the security director upon learning of the incident, which was corroborated by surveillance footage. But the hotel manager declined to call law enforcement, claiming that only the victim could do that. So Jack’s family called the Orlando police.
Police Begin Investigation
After taking a report, the police opened a criminal investigation. Although I’m confident everyone would agree that Ivan’s behavior was disgusting and immoral, it’s important to briefly repeat what Ivan did to Jack in this situation and how it constitutes criminal behavior.
Ivan led Jack into an unused hotel bathroom, then removed one of Jack’s flip flops and smelled his foot, presumably as part of some kind of sexual fetish. Then Ivan masturbated in front of the boy before leaving Jack alone in the bathroom. The only actual physical contact came when Ivan removed Jack’s flip flop and held his foot to smell it.
The rest of the incident involved Ivan performing a sex act on himself and then leaving without further contact with Jack. So a layperson might question exactly what crime, if any, had been committed. The answer is sexual assault and sexual battery.
Clarifying the Meaning of Assault and Battery
The general public commonly confuses the terms assault and battery because they are so often misused on television dramas. An assault is the reasonable fear of imminent harm one person intentionally creates in another person through words or actions. Note that assault does not involve physical contact of any kind. Rather, it simply involves behaviors that lead to a reasonable fear of harm in the victim.
So what does assault look like? Suppose I approach you and say that I am going to punch you in the face. If you believe me, and fear for your well-being as a result, I have committed an assault.
In another example, suppose instead that I say nothing, but I walk up to you hurriedly and feign as if I am about to punch you in the face by thrusting a fist in your direction, stopping just short of hitting you. Again, if you genuinely feared for your safety, then this is sufficient for the crime of assault, even though no words are spoken.
Note that no follow-through is necessary in either instance. I didn’t actually have to punch you or even intend to punch you. As long as I intended to make you fearful, you were in fact fearful, and that fear was reasonable under the circumstances, an assault was committed.
By contrast, battery is unwanted physical contact of any kind. Physically injuring another person is absolutely a battery. But injury is not necessarily required. The keyword in the definition is “unwanted.” So if I touch you in a way that causes you no injury but is nonetheless unwelcome, or in a way that I should know would be unwelcome, then I have committed a battery.
For example, suppose you tell me that you do not like to be touched, at all, by anyone, ever. If I proceed to then touch your elbow with my index finger in order to provoke you, I have committed a battery, because I know that the contact is unwelcome.
There are many other nuances to assault and battery that affect criminal culpability. For example, the term “assault and battery” is thrown around a lot on television for dramatic effect. But is it possible to have one without the other? Sure! As discussed earlier, if you create a fear of harm without actually making contact with another person, you have committed assault without battery. And if you make unwelcome physical contact without any apprehension of harm preceding it — for example by touching someone from behind when they cannot see it coming — then you’ve committed a battery without an assault. However, it must be acknowledged that assault and battery are very commonly coincident, as was the case with Ivan’s conduct.
How Ivan Committed Assault and Battery
Ivan committed an assault when he ordered Jack into the unoccupied bathroom. Through his words and actions Ivan created a fear in Jack that Ivan might do something to him that he was not comfortable with. Ivan also committed assault when he masturbated in front of Jack. A reasonable person would know that such behavior would likely create discomfort and fear in someone who has not consented to the act in any way.
Ivan also committed a battery when he touched Jack’s flip flop and foot in a way that no reasonable person would assume would be welcome without consent. The fact that these offensive acts were sexual in nature, and committed upon a disabled minor, only made the crimes more repugnant and the charges against Ivan more serious.
Jack told Orlando police officers that when Ivan masturbated, he ejaculated on his work uniform. But Ivan had turned his uniform in to the hotel’s dry cleaners when he left work that night. So Orlando police obtained a search and seizure warrant to collect Ivan’s work pants before they were cleaned.
Upon analysis, Ivan’s pants tested positive for semen. This was sufficient evidence to corroborate Jack’s story and formally charge Ivan. He was subsequently arrested, charged with several criminal offenses, and sentenced to a combination of prison time, monetary penalties, and community service.
But none of these criminal remedies did anything for Jack and his family, who would have to endure the mental and emotional trauma associated with this event for the rest of their lives. Moreover, the hotel denied any responsibility for the incident.
In the next part, I will discuss the civil action against the hotel, and how the investigation into hotel negligence transpired.
About the Author: Dr. Gary Deel is a Faculty Director with the School of Business at American Military University. He holds a JD in Law and a Ph.D. in Hospitality/Business Management. He teaches human resources and employment law classes for American Military University, the University of Central Florida, Colorado State University and others. To contact the author, email IPSauthor@apus.edu. For more articles featuring insight from industry experts, subscribe to In Public Safety’s bi-monthly newsletter.
Dr. Gary Deel
Dr. Gary Deel is a Faculty Director with the School of Business at American Military University. He holds a J.D. in Law and a Ph.D. in Hospitality/Business Management. Gary teaches human resources and employment law classes for American Military University, the University of Central Florida, Colorado State University and others.
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Ride N’ Seek with Jaime Dempsey
Article originally posted on Revzilla.com
JAIME DEMPSEY HAS THE WILDEST SIDE HUSTLE A MOTORCYCLIST COULD DREAM OF
Jaime Dempsey takes a selfie somewhere in Southeast Asia. Photo provided by Jaime Dempsey.
She’s ridden everywhere from the wild roads of the mountains of Kalinga in the Philippines to the teeming city streets of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and she’s done it on everything from a Harley-Davidson Sportster to a Ural to a Ducati Hyperstrada.
She got tattooed by a 96-year-old woman at the top of a mountain, hung out with the Independent MC of Brunei and swam with whale sharks. She might just have the wildest side hustle any motorcyclist could dream of.
We’re talking about Jaime Dempsey’s job. For two months out of the year, anyway. For the past four years, she has experienced all kinds of surprise adventures throughout Southeast Asia as the host of The History Channel Asia’s hit series “Ride N’ Seek.” I say surprise adventures because other than telling her what country she’s going to and which motorcycle she’ll be riding, the production team has taken a liking to keeping her in the dark about what she’s getting into until she’s pretty much doing it. Think Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” meets “Fear Factor” on a motorcycle.
“It’s like my alternate reality,” says Jaime, who flies relatively under the radar in the United States. The show does not currently air here in the States, but she’s a celebrity in Asia.
Because of her exposure on History Channel Asia, Jaime Dempsey is more famous across the Pacific than at home in California. Photo provided by Jaime Dempsey.
When she’s not shooting, the other 10 months of the year Jaime lives out another dream, working as one of the founders and owners of a Los Angeles-based women’s motorcycle clothing company called ATWYLD.
Yes. We know. We want to be her, too.
Not all of us have what it takes to balance running a company and hosting an international TV show. Then again, Jaime says that five years ago she never expected she would be doing anything like what she’s doing today, either.
Prior to all of this, Jaime was commuting from West Hollywood to Costa Mesa on her Ducati Monster 695 to work as a product developer for swimwear at Volcom. She was first approached for “Ride N’ Seek” in 2012.
Exploring Asia on two wheels. Photo provided by Jaime Dempsey.
I really lucked out because my brother works for A&E networks,” she says. “They had already actually shot a pilot with someone but they weren’t liking the host and so he called me up and was like, ‘You ride motorcycles. Do you want to audition to host this show?’ And I was like, you’re crazy, I don’t know anything about hosting a TV show!”
Despite having zero TV experience, Jaime obviously had to go for it. Motorcycles had been a passion of hers for almost 10 years and she assumed this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Film industry friends helped her put together a demo video. A week later she got a call that she got the gig and was going to Malaysia.
“I was completely terrified,” she says of filming that first season. “I was excited to see Malaysia, but I just had no idea what it was going to be like. It’s such a different culture. And to be in front of the camera the whole time! I didn’t know how to do that and you can definitely tell.”
Jaime works with her camera crew to get a shot. Being a TV show host sounds glamorous, but there’s a lot of repetitive shooting in hot places. Photo provided by Jaime Dempsey.
Jaime has come a long way throughout the last four seasons, but she remembers shooting season one feeling pretty apprehensive about how the people perceived this young blonde woman covered in tattoos riding around their country on a Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight. She generated quite a few stares while riding through some very rural towns, but she was only ever met with curiosity and hospitality.
“It was definitely an eye opener for me. People were just as curious about me as I was about them,” she says. “I didn’t have any bad experiences with anybody. People were just very welcoming and would invite me into their homes and give me food and tea.”
The production spends months plotting out Jaime’s missions, but they learned early on that her genuine reactions to the situations they get her into are more priceless than any script. They’ve put her through everything from giving a cow a pregnancy test (you don’t want a visual) to getting a traditional Asian cupping massage (not nearly as nice as it sounds).
“It’s kind of a formula,” she says. “It’s ‘Let’s do something to make Jaime feel super uncomfortable! Let’s have her interact with some kind of animal! Let’s have her get a little bit of culture.’ And I get to do it all on motorcycles, so that’s my reward.”
Learning how to ride all kinds of new bikes was another feat she had to take on with an entire production crew watching her. While riding some of the most beautiful roads in the world might be tough to fathom as work, having to get three or four takes of everything to get different angles in countries that are often excruciatingly hot can certainly get challenging. This past season of the show, Jaime got a taste of the local moto culture riding a Kymco scooter
“To be honest, I was a little bit bummed at first that it wasn’t a motorcycle,” she says, “No shifting or changing gears or anything? But it was kind of cool to experience what the majority of people in Southeast Asia ride. The most common bike that people ride there is a two-stroke 125 cc underbone (a tube-frame motorcycle resembling a scooter) and they’re fast little bikes! These guys really haul ass on them.”
In the Philippines, one of her rides was a scooter. Photo provided by Jaime Dempsey.
One of the memorable roads she traveled on is considered one of the most dangerous in the world: Bitukang Manok, an endless series of hairpin turns in the mountains of Kalinga. It is appropriately referred to by the locals as the Chicken Intestine Road.
“There’s no barriers on the side of the road and the view is just rice fields and green mountains. It’s mind-blowing how beautiful it is,” she says.
When she could ride no further, she hiked two hours up a trail to to the village Biskala, where a 96-year-old woman named Fang Od is the last tattoo artist practicing the traditional art form of her people.
“I sat in this little bamboo hut on the edge of a cliff overlooking these rice fields and I got tattooed by her using a thorn from a lime tree and some charcoal,” Jaime says. “An interpreter helped me talk to her while she was hammering away at my shoulder. I never would have had that experience if I didn’t do the show. In the middle of the tattoo it started pouring down rain. Like, thunderstorm rain. It was just so dramatic. I get goose bumps thinking about it. It was just such a magical experience.”
Other adventures were less than magical, but still a learning experience. Her first time riding off-road was also on camera in season two, when they sent her down a 16-mile trail at the base of a volcano in the jungle of Borneo.
“It was a Ducati Hyperstrada but it had street tires on it! They should have put dirt tires on that bike. I have a feeling they might have done that on purpose to create a little drama. I don’t know, put my life at risk,” she says, laughing. “They put all these GoPros on me and they were like, ‘Jaime, go down that road.’ And I was like, ‘I’ve never ridden off-road! I don’t really know what I’m doing!’”
Just as she was starting to feel a little comfortable, she came to a spot where thick mud covered the trail.
“I don’t know how to handle mud! Am I supposed to brake? Am I supposed to not brake? So I was like, well, just keep going and see if you can get through it,” she recalls.
A Ducati Hyperstrada turned out to be a poor choice for a muddy trail in Borneo. Unless your goal is to get good television footage. Photo provided by Jaime Dempsey.
The result was predictable, as she skidded and flew off the bike.
“I think that was also the first time I’d ever really been down on a motorcycle, too,” she says. “It was all caught on camera. History Channel played that clip over and over and over again.”
Whether it was going down for the first time or just seeing women riding throughout the world, somewhere along the way she began to think about bringing her apparel experience to the table to create women’s motorcycle gear.
In 2014, she was back home in California riding her Triumph Bonneville on the Angeles Crest Highway with her partners Corinne Lan Franco and Anya Violet, co-founder of Babes Ride Out, when they began developing the concept for ATWYLD.
“We were trying to describe that feeling, that single moment right in between fear and thrill,” she says. “You know? When you’re coming around a bend a little bit fast and it’s tight and you got that little bit of scared in you but you’re like, ‘Fuck, this is awesome. This is so exciting.’ You’re in that wild moment in time. Yeah. At wild. It’s the perfect descriptive word for that.”
With just one collection out so far, ATWYLD has already been very well received. The clothing is all made in America and incorporates some of the industry’s best technical materials, like D3O and Kevlar. The second collection should be out by spring.
“There was a serious lack of clothing for women and this new generation of female riders who may not necessarily be gearing up to ride on the track,” she says. “You know, we’re maybe not wanting to wear chaps with fringe and stuff like that but we want to look stylish, we want our normal aesthetic. We want to wear skinny jeans. We want to look good and have these protective things hidden in it.”
As the company continues to grow, it is getting harder for Jaime to step away to shoot Ride N’ Seek, but she is planning to shoot another season next year either in Indonesia, Australia, or Japan. Until then, she’ll be living her alter ego California dream.
“I really have to pinch myself a lot of the time,” she says, “I had no idea that my life could be anything like what it is now. I can’t imagine it being better. You know I never really planned any of this but I’m always looking for new opportunities and new experiences and I think you just have to be open to that. New people, new experiences — kind of open yourself up to the world and things will happen!”
Five years ago, she never imagined she’d be here. Photo provided by Jaime Dempsey.
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When he was thirteen, Chris formed pop/rock band The Lightyears with his best friends from school. Since then, The Lightyears have toured all over the world, playing Glastonbury Festival and Wembley Stadium, releasing a record with Sting’s producer and sharing a stage with members of Queen, Journey and The Who.
In 2014, Chris published a rock ’n’ roll comedy novel called MOCKSTARS, which was inspired by his tour diaries for The Lightyears. Shortly afterwards, following a three-month stint ghostwriting for a One Direction fan club, he came up with the idea of a YA novel that combined an intense teenage romance with the electrifying universe of a chart-topping boyband. That idea became the trilogy SONGS ABOUT A GIRL, which was signed up by Hodder Children’s in 2015, and has sold in multiple territories worldwide.
SONGS ABOUT A GIRL
Book One in a heart-thudding trilogy about first love, pop music and the power of teenage obsession
When 16-year-old aspiring photographer Charlie Bloom receives the invitation of her dreams – to take backstage photos for chart-topping boyband Fire&Lights – it’s an offer she can’t refuse. Overnight she is launched into a world of bloggers, paparazzi and backstage bickering, and soon becomes caught between the dark charms of star member Gabriel West and his boy-next-door bandmate Olly Samson.
Pure wish fulfilment for any One Direction fan who’s ever dreamed of saying “I’m with the band”…
MOCKSTARS
Chris and George are best friends, and they want to be rockstars. Unfortunately, a childhood spent playing in the school orchestra and listening to Jimmy Nail has left them a little fluffy round the edges, and at the age of 23, their acoustic duo Satellite doesn’t resemble Bon Jovi nearly as much as they’d planned. So how do two ordinary boys from the Home Counties go about taking on the cut-throat world of rock ‘n’ roll?
They’re just going to have to fake it.
“Hilarious – it’s The Inbetweeners meets Spinal Tap!” (Alex Marsh, author of Sex & Bowls & Rock and Roll)
The course was fantastic – really got me thinking. Two weeks later, I have my very own shiny author website! Talking to and working with other writers is always useful! PJ and Kat were fab, too.
— CHRIS RUSSELL
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Gallery Scene No Comments
Richard Kern Revisits New York Girls, Feels ‘a Little Pervy Now’
November 19, 2015 By Nicole Disser
Amy With Cigarette, 1993 photo by Richard Kern (Courtesy of the Artist and Marlborough Broome Street, NY)
To honor the 20th anniversary of New York Girls and the re-release of Richard Kern‘s first book, the East Village photographer and Cinema of Transgression filmmaker is running two concurrent gallery shows– one is in Chelsea and the second opens tonight at Marlborough Broome on the Lower East Side. I stopped by the gallery yesterday to check out the photos and speak with Kern.
“It was so long ago, almost seems like somebody else did it,” he laughed. “It was definitely a different time period.” When I arrived, I found Kern sitting quietly at the front desk. I was late but, as he explained later, I’d given him a chance to catch up on Instagram.
New York Girls Revisited opens tonight, and even if you’ve had a chance to check out his broader retrospective at Marlborough’s Chelsea location, this show delves deeper in the ’90s specifically, the era that informed New York Girls. The show includes several previously unreleased photos that either didn’t quite fit with the book, or ones Kern had simply passed over.
“I went through all the old junk and I found photos I’d completely missed,” he said, scanning the mostly nude portraits, Kern’s specialty, on the walls. But these aren’t just any nudes– the women are gun-toting, cigarette-smoking, tattooed rock n’ roll types. It’s what fashion photography has always wanted to be and the way we’re told New York City used to be.
You might recognize Kern’s video work from his old Vice series, “Shot by Kern” or group his photography with work by some of his contemporaries, Terry Richardson and Ryan McGinley. It’s all sex, fetid glamour, and girls on toilets. “I do all this bathroom stuff, girls in the bathroom. I don’t know why, but it’s fun,” Kern laughed.
The New York Times wrote his work is fraught with “uncommonly visceral instances of the so-called male gaze.” This is undeniably true, and while Kern plays heavily on voyeurism, an innately human instinct that manifests itself to different degrees in everyone, the women in his photographs seem less like objectified ninnies and more like women with stories of their own and agency to boot.
Kern said that he’s never been one to approach his models. Instead, they reach out to him or he meets people through an existing network of friends and other people he’s worked with. “The one constant I can tell you is true, is [that] all of them I felt like they were testing themselves,” he explained. “They just want to have some fun, do something different. Everybody comes to New York looking for some fun thing they can do, there’s no manipulation going on or any of that. These girls just say, ‘Hey I want to shoot photos.’”
Kern’s New York Girls appear as simmering sex pots amidst a background of either implied or explicit “alternative” lifestyles (drugs, punk rock, tattoos). I wondered where the line was (I mean, Kern did have a zine called “The Heroin Addict” in the ’80s…)– was this rebellion lived? Half-lived? Or is it just aesthetic?
“Before this, when I was making the films it was just a drug-infused scene. It still goes on quite a bit. One girl told me the other day she likes to do acid every two weeks. I was like, acid? really? It seems like such a weird thing to be into out of all the stuff, you know?” he laughed. “I don’t think a lot of these people did drugs, to be honest– I’d say it was half and half. A lot of people were strippers. It just seemed like I knew a bunch of those people at one time. There was a lot of that scene in the program at that time. It was like get clean, get some tattoos, go work in a sex club— that kind of stuff was seen as badass. Maybe it’s still that way, I don’t know.”
Besides being a bunch of femme fatales, the New York Girls exude a sense of power. To me, these women look badass. They seem strong and cool, rather than meek, angelic, or holy in some way– they are exempt from having to live up to the impossible standards of the Public Virgin/Secret Slut male ideal. Instead, they can be as “bad” as they want.
(Courtesy of the Artist and Marlborough Broome Street, NY)
Unfortunately you won’t find the thicker reissued New York Girls at the gallery or anywhere just yet– the release has been delayed until January. “I thought we’d have copies of it here, so I could have an opening where I sign books, where I only had to go out one time,” Kern laughed darkly. Instead, you’ll find a time machine of sorts to a very different Kern. One black-and-white image– a woman whose face is obscured, lying face-down on a bed made with white, crumpled sheets– is one of Kern’s earliest nudes. “This one’s really old,” he pointed to the photo. “It was probably the second girl I shot naked. But that was before I was doing any of this junk.”
In 1995, the year the book came out, Kern was shifting his attention from filmmaking (the work for which he’s widely known for as a member of the Cinema of Transgression movement) to photography. Since this period, when his photos were dominated by dramatic contrast and film still-like shots were the norm, Kern says his work has changed dramatically. “That kind of lighting was very popular in music videos, porn, and movies and stuff– that kind of unexplained color lighting,” he explained. “They’ll walk into a room and it’s all pink and blue, but it’s just a regular room, there’s no reason for it to be those colors, but somehow it is. In porn, they didn’t have to make excuses.”
After 1995, the photographer’s work transformed to the “super realist” style we’re more acquainted with when it comes to Kern. “Right around that time Terry [Richardson] was getting big, and there was this whole snapshot phenomenon,” he recalled. “That trend became big, and I started looking at my style. I went away from this, and it’s not snapshot, I just tried to make it look more and more real until there was no lighting at all or one carefully-placed light.”
Linda Wet on Floor, 1992, photo by Richard Kern (Courtesy of the Artist and Marlborough Broome Street, NY)
Kern is now 60. (“Sometimes I forget how old I am, a lot of times,” he laughed. “But I’m not 20.”) And he admitted he had trouble recalling the particulars of the first New York Girls show. “Almost 20 years ago, shy of a month or two, I did my first show in New York at Feature Inc.,” Kern recalled. The gallery closed last year after the founder Hudson passed away. “Pascal, the director of Marlborough Chelsea, he was a big fan of Hudson and he wanted to do something related to Feature. It’s downtown. Feature used to be on Greene Street back then, so this one’s similar to that show, not the exact show, but it’s pretty close.”
There are some distinctions. The 2015 show has fewer bondage-related images. “It’s non-binding bondage,” Kern explained. By that, he means the girls tied up here don’t arouse a sense of seriousness. A girl with a dark bob and no clothing, for example, is hanging from a doorway; her hands and feet are bound but she’s clearly laughing. “It wasn’t dramatic enough and the book New York Girls was super dramatic,” he said. “Hey, she’s smiling, she’s happy. She doesn’t have this mean stare on her face.”
Though he has a light-hearted, borderline humorous understanding of his former preoccupation with fetish culture, Kern has moved beyond that theme in his work. “I would never use photos like that anymore, I just feel weird about it. There’s all kinds of differences. I mean, you just get old. I feel a little pervy now.”
I was surprised to find that Kern still seems a little bit sensitive to what people think of him, particularly in the current social climate. “People must see me as such a pervert, but everything is so politically correct now. You can’t be any certain way or you’re just destroyed,” he lamented. “I noticed Larry Clark gets shit now, I noticed even Ryan [McGinley] got some shit for his last show, for his obsession with ‘young, beautiful people.’ You have to really watch what you say.”
Kern pointed out that any criticism of Ryan McGinley was sort of ridiculous, seeing that “he’s still young, you know?” The rules change when you’re older, though. “Richard Prince is a good example. He loves that kind of shit, or so it appears. But that whole Instagram shit he did, that was so blatant. I thought, ‘God, this is genius.’ It’s got so many wrong things about it, that it’s almost sublime in today’s climate.”
Lung With Gun, 1985, photo by Richard Kern (Courtesy of the Artist and Marlborough Broome Street, NY)
It’s strange to hear that, in a way, Kern feels censorship has become a bigger problem over the years, whereas my knee-jerk instinct was to assume censorship has eased up over time. But surely people have grown more tolerant of nudes, right? “In my old gallery, my old dealer, he pointed out that when people walk into a show like this, the first thing they have to get over is that there’s nudity. That’s a big wall for people to get over,” Kern explained.
Still, Kern concedes things were different in 1995. “There was definitely a different vibe, it was more people like things but they were afraid to say they liked them. And that hasn’t changed, ever. It’s still a problem sometimes,” Kern argued. “Actually, I think that this old stuff, time gives it some kind of validity that it didn’t have. With the early shows, I got what I call grief sometimes from the press or critics. I was used to that from the films I made, but now they’re going to be shown at MoMA next year. They’re doing a retrospective— in the film section. What was seen as so outrageous just becomes, like, tame.”
Though he didn’t go into specifics, Kern recalled being criticized for his depiction of bondage at some point around his first New York Girls show. “There was stuff I shot back then that I didn’t think anything about and I would do a show and I would be hurt. I was so fragile, when there would be negative reviews,” he remembered. “Like all the bondage stuff, I knew why I was doing it back then. I was into Araki and all these guys; for them it was definitely kind of a control thing. But it’s also that you get to get this close to their skin, when you put on this stuff, but you’re not touching them. Still! It was such a weird sensation. But I didn’t say, like, ‘Hey, let me tie you up.’ It would be more like girls saying”–Kern perked up and squeaked—“‘Hey! Can we do some bondage photos now?'”
Also on view at New York Girls Revisited is a “behind-the-scenes” video taken from Super 8 footage shot during photo sessions from the ’80s through 1995. “It was a movie I never released. I’ve shown pieces of it, like in 2011, but that was a really hard version,” he recalled. “Because you know it’s got hard to soft. This one is very soft. When I say ‘hard’ I mean there’s a guy jerking off in his mouth, there’s people fucking, there’s a woman taking a dump, naked guys dancing, naked girls dancing, all kinds of shit.”
Some of the women who appear in the portraits on the walls are in the video. One girl– depicted slumped over a toilet, wearing nothing but roller skates and a giant, furry red coat– really stood out to me when I noticed her again in the video. She was skating not-expertly around a Williamsburg rooftop, stumbling and smiling into the camera. You could see the bridge in the background. She was having a good time. The video helps you understand these are real women, with the ability to smile awkwardly and mess up their hair, behind the sultry statues on the walls.
Monica Yellow With Ropes, 1994, photo by Richard Kern (Courtesy of the Artist and Marlborough Broome Street, NY)
For Kern, they’re all three-dimensional. “Well, these girls are all in their 40s now, at least,” he smiled. “And this one”–he gestured to a portrait of a woman with blonde curls and bondage cuffs– “she still looks pretty much exactly the same.” Kern explained she’s now a “successful business woman” with her own skateboard shop in Williamsburg. “I’m still in touch with a lot of them,” he said. “That’s Christina Martinez, she’s from Boss Hog, or a band from back then.”
As can be expected, some of the women he’s shot have died. “She died of cancer, the cigarette-smoking one,” Kern said, pointing to a black-and-white portrait on the wall. “She got big and fat,” he laughed. “Well, it’s alright she got big and fat I guess.” Others “have had really rough lives,” he explained. “One girl, she became a bad junkie, just way all the way. She was in rehab last I saw her. Hopefully she got her shit together because she was super talented, but anyway— that kind of stuff happens.”
For most of the women, New York Girls was a lifetime ago. “Some of them, I won’t say who, they’re probably not gonna be happy that the book’s out again,” Kern laughed mischievously. “It’s a part of their past they maybe wanted to forget. Another one, I printed a photo of her in Vice and she wrote me and said, ‘Richard! I’ve got two daughters now and they go on Vice and see me naked!’ So I had to take that off.” Kern still enjoys stirring up trouble, a sort of charming aspect of his voyeurism.
Though Kern’s ways of meeting women over the years have shifted to prospective models private messaging him on Instagram (“a great resource for models,” he said) not much has changed about his methods. “I always meet them first, I ask to meet them. And that’s to see if they’re going to show up, mainly. I talk to them a bit before we shoot and see what they’re into. I kind of get a feeling for where their head is,” he said. “In the past, I already knew them marginally, but you get to know them more as you shoot. It’s kind of like dating, except nothing is happening. It’s weird. You’re learning about someone through the process of shooting them.”
Asking invasive questions as part of the interview process is the norm. “It’s all part of getting to see or find out what you never get to ask somebody,” he said.
Kern revealed that he has re-interviewed several of the women from New York Girls. “I said, ‘So how’d it turn out? Your life?’” he laughed. “And many of them are already half way through, but I found out that my perceptions about them at the time were different than their perceptions of themselves.” The change in attitudes over the years and re-assessment of past lives was something Kern found fascinating. He said he hopes to make a video soon of the two sets of interviews– “the young girls and the older girls”– side-by-side.
“One told me all this great stuff,” he said, gritting his teeth. “And it was all about how she used her prettiness and sexuality to manipulate the men she met, people she wanted to help her with things, her career and things like that. This was when she was 18.” One day, Kern said, she told him,”‘One day I realized that they didn’t care what I wanted, they were happy to give it to me. They were getting what they wanted.’” Kern said the woman refused to retell the story on camera. “She 180-changed her viewpoint,” he said. “But this isn’t anything new. It’s been going on since the beginning of time. Guys do it, too.”
For all this recollection, Kern seemed very calm to me, and pretty unemotional about the past. But I had to ask if he associated the photos with a youthful time– after all, the title is “New York Girls,” not “New York Women.” Was he a “boy” then, too, even if twenty years ago Kern rang in at just about 40? “Well, I don’t associate them with anything because I don’t even… well, I relate to them,” he laughed. “Yes, a youthful time.”
But the ’90s marked a turning point for Kern. He had quit drugs and photography was what was keeping him off drugs. “It was a nice safe way to… I thought it was going to be this really cool thing, I mean it still is. I guess. I thought that if I was old and taking photos of naked girls, it would be fun. This is what I thought when I was 34,” he recalled. “It is still fun, but when I was 34 I didn’t have any idea that people would see me in a negative way a lot of times. That part never occurred to me, that people come to it with their own stuff. They’re seeing it, but they’re seeing you through their eyes. And I don’t blame ’em, I do the same thing.”
Recently a friend of his, “a woman I’ve known since, god, forever,” told him: “Don’t you understand, they’re so jealous that you got to do this?” Kern was taken aback. “And I said, ‘Really?’ It never occurred to me that people would get jealous,” he said. “It’s like, why don’t they do it if they want to do it? It’s not that hard.”
New York Girls Revisited runs at Marlborough Broome, 331 Broome Street on the Lower East Side from Thursday Nov. 19th through Wednesday Dec. 23rd.
Tags: art, Art + Culture, East Village, Lower East Side, marlborough broome, photography, richard kern, richard prince, ryan mcginley, terry richardson, The 90s, Williamsburg
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Home Tags Posts tagged with "ballot count"
ballot count
Kenya presidential election results are doctored, claims Raila Odinga camp
The ballot count in Kenya’s presidential elections has been rigged, says the running mate of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is trailing behind his rival, Uhuru Kenyatta.
“We have evidence the results we have received have been doctored,” said Raila Odinga’s running mate Kalonzo Musyoka.
He said the vote count should be stopped but added that his comments were not a call for protest.
Counting has been severely delayed after the electronic system crashed.
Following the latest allegation, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is holding a closed-door meeting with various high commissioners and ambassadors.
The chairman of the IEBC is due to address journalists later on Thursday.
More than 1,000 people were killed in the violence which broke out in 2007-08 after Raila Odinga claimed he had been cheated of victory by supporters of President Mwai Kibaki, who is stepping down after two terms in office.
Uhuru Kenyatta, who backed Mwai Kibaki, is due to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) next month, accused of organizing attacks on members of ethnic groups seen as supporters of Raila Odinga. He denies the charges.
Kalonzo Musyoka said the failure of the electronic vote transmission system earlier this week had allowed results to be rigged.
“We as a coalition take the position the national vote-tallying process lacks integrity and has to be stopped and re-started using primary documents from the polling stations,” he said on Thursday.
But Kalonzo Musyoka also called on Kenyans to remain calm.
“It is not a call to mass action. We are committed as a coalition to the principle of the rule of law.”
The ballot count in Kenya’s presidential elections has been rigged, says the running mate of Prime Minister Raila Odinga
Meanwhile, senior members of Raila Odinga’s coalition have given further details about their allegations, saying that the number of ballots counted exceeded that of votes cast.
The long delays, and these new accusations are increasing the tension surrounding the polls.
However, until they see comprehensive evidence, many Kenyans will remain skeptical.
Following glitches with hi-tech voting and counting systems, the vote-tallying process was started again from scratch, and by hand, on Wednesday.
Results were only being announced after the ballots had been physically delivered to election headquarters in Nairobi, rather than being filed electronically.
The latest figures indicate Uhuru Kenyatta has maintained his lead over Raila Odinga, with 2.5 million (53%) votes to 1.9 million (42%) – as originally indicated.
However, the new tally shows that the number of rejected ballots, which have become a major bone contention, has sharply come down.
In the initial count, some 300,000 votes – about 6% – were disqualified for various reasons.
But according to latest official results, this figure has now come down to about 40,000. While the reason for the drop remains unclear, some observers said that election officials were being too strict first time round.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee coalition has rejected calls for some of these ballots to be included, as requested by Raila Odinga’s allies.
Counting the rejected votes would greatly add to the number needed for a candidate to break the 50% threshold for a first-round win and increase the prospect of a runoff due within a month.
The push for these ballots’ inclusion was motivated by a “sinister and suspect logic”, said Charity Ngilu, a senior member of Uhuru Kenyatta’s coalition.
The camp also accused the British High Commissioner in Kenya of “canvassing to have rejected votes tallied” in an attempt to deny Uhuru Kenyatta outright victory in Monday’s vote.
The UK Foreign Office said claims of British interference were “entirely false and misleading”.
Correspondents say one of the reasons for the many rejected votes is that Kenyans had, for the first time, six ballot papers to fill in, which may have caused confusion.
The winning candidate must get more than 50% of the total votes cast and at least 25% of votes in half of the 47 counties. The latter was a requirement introduced in the new constitution to make sure the new president wins with wide support, rather than only with the backing of voters in his regional and ethnic strongholds.
If there is no clear winner, a second round of voting will take place, probably on April 11.
Uhuru Kenyatta
Son of Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta
Due to stand trial at ICC in April accused of organizing violence in last election
His running mate, William Ruto, also accused
Both deny the charges
From Kikuyu ethnic group – Kenya’s largest at 22% of population and powerful economically
Kikuyus and William Ruto’s Kalenjin community saw fierce clashes after 2007 poll
Currently deputy prime minister
Son of first Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
Distant relative of Barack Obama
Believes he was cheated of victory in last election
From Luo community in western Kenya – 11% of population.
Some Luos feel they have been marginalized by central government
Third time running for president
Currently prime minister under power-sharing deal to end violence last time
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Aerospace, Cleanroom News, Cleanroom Technology, Cleanrooms
What is the Impact of ‘Multiplanetary Life’ on Commercial Aviation?
Posted on November 1, 2017 June 18, 2020 by Berkshire Corporation
The year is 1999. The location is the scientific research station Moon Base Alpha, nestled in the moon’s crater, Plato. The team of scientists is led by one Captain John Koenig who oversees operations in the orbiting satellite/nuclear waste dump. The personnel inhabiting the moon base include technicians, security, and a handful of non-humans including Maya, a metamorph who is able to assume temporarily the appearance of any living thing. Such an ability is, of course, extremely useful in the cold, dark recesses of space. The fictional Moon Base Alpha of the 1970s TV series Space 1999 incorporated anti-gravity towers, travel tubes, launch pads for Eagles and visiting spacecraft, and – for the personnel – all of the comforts of home, from a bowling alley to a solarium, restaurants to a library. With real paper books.
The moon base would constitute a stopping off point for craft on their way to Mars City, a glass-domed outpost dominated by Interplanetary Transport Vehicles (ITVs) designed, built, and operated by SpaceX.
In an image recently revealed by SpaceX founder and entrepreneur Elon Musk, his own version of Moon Base Alpha is integral to the push to colonize the more distant Red Planet, Mars. Following a presentation to the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia last month, Musk shared his illustration of clustered gray habitation domes beneath an obsidian sky. The moon base would constitute a stopping off point for craft on their way to Mars City, a glass-domed outpost dominated by Interplanetary Transport Vehicles (ITVs) designed, built, and operated by SpaceX.
One of the aces up his sleeve, the most critical component that which could make or break the project, is a technology mischievously named the BFR, or ‘Big F—ing Rocket.’
If this all sounds ‘out of this world’ that’s because it is. Musk’s presentation, ‘Making Life Multiplanetary’ detailed not only the challenges inherent in establishing an extra-terrestrial colony, but also of sustaining it. And between the danger to human life, the potential for equipment failure or loss, and the risk of massive cost over-runs, the challenges are significant. But to borrow former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s famous remark that “We choose to go […] not because it is easy, but because it is hard,’ Musk is looking those challenges in the eye and forging ahead regardless. One of the aces up his sleeve, the most critical component that which could make or break the project, is a technology mischievously named the BFR, or ‘Big F—ing Rocket.’ With an eye to keeping this a family-friendly article, we’ll revert to the other version of the acronym – the Big Falcon Rocket – which takes its place among the stable of falcons developed by Musk’s engineers.
With the retirement of Falcon-1 and the maiden flights of the Falcon Heavy, the Big Falcon Rocket takes its place as a giant transportation system capable of more than just orbital flights. Powered by 31 engines, the craft will be capable of housing approximately 100 passengers for the three to six month trip to Mars, beginning – Musk projects – in 2022. And it will be financed in part via a radical shakeup of Musk’s broader SpaceX assets. With a view to pouring all possible resources into the development and launch of the BFR, SpaceX will make obsolete its fleet of Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft, plowing all revenue from satellite launches and servicing missions to the International Space Station (ISS), and scaling down the ITS to streamline both the equipment and the costs. In an interview cited in The Verge, Musk noted “We can build a system that cannibalizes our own products, makes our own resources redundant, then all the resources we use for Falcon Heavy and Dragon can be applied to one system.”(1)
Moreover, this one system is scalable and reusable.
Unlike the Falcon 9 which is only around 75% reusable, the ITS will aim to be 100% reusable across a projected lifetime of 100 flights. Unlike terrestrial aircraft, rockets are due for retirement once they hit their centennial flight as the effects of extreme heat and cold, intense vibrations on launch and landing, and the effects of supersonic speed all take their toll.
But the radical overhaul of SpaceX’s inventory is not the only fiscal drive fuelling Musk’s vision. Beginning 2022, the United States Congress has, in effect, banned the use of the BFR’s main competitor, Atlas V, the United Launch Alliance’s joint venture with Boeing. The reason for this ban? The Atlas V uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen for its first stage – a problem under the terms of the Nelson agreement which is part of the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).(2) Under Section 1615 of the act, the U.S. Air Force is prohibited from incurring costs associated with ‘the development of new engines or the modification of existing systems’ and also may not award launch contracts to bidders whose engines are not American-made. As Samuel Postell writing for the Washington Examiner notes, this essentially makes SpaceX ‘the only producer that fits the description of “existing systems” eligible for government dollars,’ thereby limiting any and all free market competition.(3) Postell also highlights this as an issue of national security given that Title 10, Section 2273 of the U.S. Code requires ‘the availability of at least two space launch vehicles capable of delivering into space any payload designated by the Secretary of Defense or the Director of National Intelligence as a national security payload.’(4)
…the BFR could in theory become the Uber of extra-terrestrial travel, servicing the ISS, multiple other agencies, and even NASA.
Where the free market is alive and well, however, is in the potential for SpaceX to entirely dominate the launch market. With international space agencies – such as those in China, the European union, and Russia – all vying for satellite deployment capability and logistical access to the Moon, the BFR could in theory become the Uber of extra-terrestrial travel, servicing the ISS, multiple other agencies, and even NASA.
NASA? According to an article in the Washington Post, NASA is currently working on its Deep Space Gateway project that will create a spaceport for astronauts on missions that take them deeper into the solar system. Working with Colorado-based contractor Lockheed Martin, the agency sees the habitat as a home-from-home where astronauts will access workstations, exercise facilities, living quarters, and ‘all the things you need to live and be happy in space.’(5) Given NASA’s timeline of having the gateway up and running by the mid-2020s, it is entirely conceivable that Musk’s BFR will become the de facto transport mean for both equipment and personnel.
…a projected city-to-city rocket service will allow Earth-based travelers to fly from New York to Shanghai or from Los Angeles to Tokyo in a little over half an hour.
But what if living in low-Earth orbit is just not your thing? For those of us who are not astronauts, the technology is still relevant as far as it pertains to regular air travel within the broader commercial realm. For avid readers of all things aeronautical, we recently examined the impact of cleanroom technology on the continued development of supersonic travel, ‘The Eclipse & Supersonic Travel: How Cleanroom Tech is Revolutionizing (Quieter) Travel’ outlining the achievements of the team who built the first commercial supersonic craft, the Concorde. At the time, and even to this day, Concorde’s flight times were the stuff of legend, but if Musk’s vision for commercial air travel comes to fruition, the flagship airplane’s crown will most certainly slip. Leveraging the same innovation that Musk believes will bring humans to Mars, a projected city-to-city rocket service will allow Earth-based travelers to fly from New York to Shanghai or from Los Angeles to Tokyo in a little over half an hour. In fact, travelling at ten times supersonic speed, any two destinations on the planet would be less than an hour’s flight time apart.
And the foreshortened travel time may well be a good thing in more ways that just the obvious. In order to step in at LAX and step out in Tokyo 30 minutes later, passengers will have to travel at around 16,700 miles per hour, experiencing g-forces of two or three times their own body weight. The take-off and landing will involve rapid acceleration and deceleration and may provoke intense motion sickness in the unsuspecting flyer. And then there’s also the issue of temporary weightlessness, not to mention the ‘inconvenience’ of playing dodge ball with your neighbor’s vomit in zero gravity…
Suddenly those thirty minutes seem like an eternity. Perhaps it’s time to move on.
And this (not the dodge ball) has been tried before. According to former NASA chief historian Roger Launius, in the 1980s the U.S. military spent an as yet undisclosed sum presumably counted in the billions of dollars on developing a hypersonic plane.(6) And a decade later, Apollo 12 astronaut Pete Conrad founded Universal Space Lines (USL), a passenger rocket shuttle company that aimed to offer high-speed passenger service. USL’s future was based upon its use of the Delta Clipper-X (DC-X), a re-usable rocket developed by McDonnell Douglas and first test launched in 1993. An experimental vehicle, the DC-X sought to determine specifically whether re-usable vertical take-off and vertical landing (VTOVL) craft could achieve suborbital and orbital flight. After a series of eight test flights for feasibility, the DC-X had achieved suborbital flights to 5500 meters and had demonstrated a turn-around of just 26 hours between its first and subsequent flights.(7) These achievements, however, were not sufficient to secure continued funding. In 1995 McDonnell Douglas quietly shelved the project, and Conrad’s dream of rocket-powered commercial flight withered on the vine.
But these two failures do little to deter Musk. While the technological, social, and fiscal challenges remain the same, Musk’s approach is different and incorporates some radically blue-sky thinking. Furthermore, if the cost of rocket-powered flight could be brought to parity with that of current commercial aviation, Derek Webber, director of Maine-based think-tank Spaceport Associates, believes that no single challenge is completely intractable – whether it concerns logistical tangles, air traffic control, or even the health impacts of travel at advanced speed. And, in an article recently published on Futurism, an online portal covering transformative technologies, he notes wryly: ‘“As a general rule, I would say don’t bet against Elon Musk.”’(8)
As we’ve learned from our previous articles, we wouldn’t bet against him either.
Do you have thoughts about rocket-driven aviation? Ever wanted to experience 2x or 3x G-force? We’d love to read your comments!
https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/29/16378802/elon-musk-mars-plan-rocket-spaceship-colonization-iac-2017
https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/senate-agreement-reaches-on-russian-rd-180-engines/
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/elon-musks-spacex-is-at-war-with-the-free-market/article/2639005
ibid
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/07/26/nasa-is-building-a-prototype-for-a-habitat-in-deep-space-by-recycling-an-old-cargo-container/
https://futurism.com/elon-musks-idea-for-city-to-city-rockets-just-might-work/
http://www.astronautix.com/d/dc-x.html
This entry was posted in Aerospace, Cleanroom News, Cleanroom Technology, Cleanrooms and tagged Aerospace & Defense.
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Food Contact Surfaces: Top Five Articles of 2020 January 11, 2021
In our other annual review over at Cleanroom News, we may have already mentioned the apparent cognitive dissonance of pairing ‘Top 5’ and ‘2020’ in any single sentence. But here we are, doing it again! And, as much as we too feel the relief of closing the door on the back of that most challenging […]
Allergens, Bagels, and Contamination: ABCs on the Safety of Sesame December 23, 2020
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Home/ Free Essays/ Analysis/ Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership
Free Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Essay Sample
I choose the company Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership. It is a company that deals with the selling and leasing of furniture, electronics computers and appliances. I choose this company because of its diverse nature of business. It is dealing with several lines of businesses which are interesting to an economist. It is also interesting to know that the company has a very wide market for people with different needs. It reveals diversification of risks in that the lines of business they are dealing with are distinct from each other. If the furniture business fails, then there will be the electronics and computer and appliances to bring income to the firm. It also interests me because of the franchise business where other companies can start up business, and use their already established name and they earn loyalty income (Hoovers, 2006).
In economics, there are some fundamental questions which all the companies including the Aaron's Sales &Lease Ownership have to put into consideration when doing business. The first fundamental question is what the company should produce, then Decide on how to produce the goods and services and lastly for whom to produce the goods and services.i.e who will consume the goods and services being produced.
With regard to the first economics questions, Aaron's furniture deals with furniture, computers, electronics appliances for both office use and home use. Under furniture, the company deals with all furniture needs in the living room, dining room, bedroom, office equipment and other accessories. In electronics, the company deals with televisions, music players, cameras stems. The company also deals with computers and laptops. In addition, the company deals with laundry, kitchen and lawn appliances. The company decided to produce a variety of products from which clients can choose from.
The Company produces most of its furniture in its facilities located all around United States. It also rents, hires out and leases this furniture. The company requires a number of resources to make the business a success. first, it needs a number of machines and equipments that are used for the production of it's products, Secondly, the franchise needs a lager number of employees who work in all their outlets and stores spread all over the united states, Canada and Pierto Rico.In fact the company has over 9600 employees which is quite a big number. These workers are engaged in different departments, which include management, production, distribution and marketing (Bonds, 2007). In addition, the company needs a large number of fleet services which will help in the transportation of the products to the outlets from the factories and to deliver the products to customers.
With relation to the third fundamental questions, the franchise has its market for people around the United States of America, Canada and Puerto Rico.It also sells household appliances and consumer Appliances. The franchise also targets offices where they offer the office furniture, computers, laptops, and electronic appliances. The franchise also takes into account the economic class of the people and produces goods which are affordable even to the middle class people. It offers affordable repayment terms to its customers.
After the business has put into consideration all the three fundamental questions, then the business has to come with ideas which will help the business to expand and cut itself a competitive edge over other firms in the same industry. The first way of making the business expand is to ensure that the operations are as efficient as possible. Efficiency refers to the production of maximum output given a number of resources at a given level of technology. The company is trying to make sure that its employees are very efficient by providing training which takes place 3days a week at the head quarters, every 30days in every franchise location and once a week at region locations. This ensures production of quality goods and products since the employees are frequently trained on what is new and what needs to be done to improve production and sales.
The company is also by improving business is by improving in technology. Technology this refers to the skills knowledge that help in the process of production. The franchise has invested in dealing with technological appliances and equipments which include among others computers and laptops (Pearce, 2007). This means that the company will continue to be in business for a long period of time bearing in mind that the world is turning technological. The company has also used to the internet to advertise itself and, this in bring in much more business for the company. The company is also engaging in new means of production b investing in newer and faster machinery to help increase the production.
Finally, the company is promoting efficiency in its line of business by optimizing production. This refers to doing the best given the constraints on hand and ensuring maximum output given the same constraints. The Aaron's ensure that they optimize their output by investing in different lines of business which make it earn more profits. The company has also diversified its risk by doing business an lines that are not different from each other; this means if one line of business falls, the company is safe and it may not go down fully as it will have other lines to support the business. The business is also in franchise business which in itself brings in income to business without directly selling the products (Murphy, 2006).
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To the Supporters of the Serbian Regime on This Site
There are supporters of the Slobodan Milosevic’s Serbian Communist-fascist government during the Bosnian War on this site.
This is a typical example of what the Serb Nazis were doing not just for part of the war, but for the entirety of the war.
Good job guys. You really picked a winner here, huh?
Author Robert LindsayPosted on April 6, 2010 Categories Europe, Regional, Serbia, War
5 thoughts on “To the Supporters of the Serbian Regime on This Site”
Whodareswings says:
Shadow Masters, ‘How governments and their intelligence agencies are working with international drug dealers and terrorists for mutual benefit and profit’ Daniel Estulin pp 97-103
“Kosovo, loosely translated as “land of blackbirds,” (Kos is a Serbian word for “blackbird”) was often portrayed in the media as an isolated and poor mountainous region. It had been a cradle of the Serbian civilization ever since King Stefan Nemanja threw out the Byzantines from Kosovo in 1180 and established control over the territories of neighboring Serb tribes. All in all, Serb tribes have lived in Kosovo for over I,000 years.
Trepca, situated in northern Kosovo, is a conglomerate of not only its three key industries: the Stari Trg mine, the Zvecan smelter and the Mitrovice, an industrial complex, but also of 41 other mines and factories. Collectively they are capable of producing up to £3 million worth of vital industrial minerals per day. The New York Times called them the “Kosovo ‘War’s glittering prize.” The Stari Trg mine has been yielding precious metals for over two millennia, having been worked initially by the Greeks, then by the Romans, etc.
The only article on the Kosovo Trepca Industrial complex to appear in the mainstream press was a 1999 piece by Balkan correspondent Chris Hedges. It was surprisingly frank: “This huge complex of mines, refining, power and transportation in Kosovo may well be the largest uncontested piece of wealth not yet in the hands of the big capitalists of the US or Europe. The industry, natural resources and transportation of all the former Soviet republics, the socialist countries of Eastern Europe, and the secessionist republics of Yugoslavia are now being rapidly privatized. No one within the region has the wealth or connections to finance capital to buy controlling shares of these vast state-owned industries. The major Western corporations are gobbling these industries up.
Could this “uncontested piece of wealth not yet in the hands of the big capitalists of the US or Europe” be reason enough to invent a war? As Trepca’s Director Novak Bjelic emphatically stated, “The war in Kosovo is about the mines, nothing else. This is Serbia’s Kuwait – the heart of Kosovo.” One observer compared the conventional mainstream description of Kosovo to describing Kuwait and the oil-rich Gulf states as “barren deserts.”
To get control of the mines, the Bilderbergers introduced the International Crisis Group (ICG), a high level Brussels-based think tank supported by financier and regular Bilderberg attendee, George Soros. The ICG crew consisted of all the regular New World Order globalists dedicated to dismantling independent nations for the benefit of the global elite. Zbigniew Brzezinski was one. So was General Wesley Clark, once the NATO supreme allied commander for Europe, and neoconservatives Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz, as well as former congressman Stephen Solarz, who was once described as “the Israel lobby’s chief legislative tactician on Capitol Hill.” Perle, Wolfowitz and Solarz became famous for their 1998 letter to President Clinton calling for a “comprehensive political and military strategy for bringing down Saddam and his regime.” Ironically, this was the same regime they had helped put together.
The outward reason for the International Crisis Group’s existence was “to provide policy guidance to governments involved in NATO-led reshaping of the Balkans.” The hidden reasons were far less humanitarian. On November 26, 1999, ICG issued a secret paper called “Trepca: Making Sense of the Labyrinth.” It advised “the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to take over the Trepca mining complex from the Serbs as quickly as possible” – not for the purposes of returning it to the Kosovars, to whom, according to the ICG, the mines belonged, but rather for passing the valuable assets into the waiting hands of Bilderbergers, including Soros.
The ICG report also detailed the timing of the theft. Conscious of political repercussions of Trepca’s explosiveness, the ICG urged UNMIK to hurry up with the game plan for taking over the valuable mining complex “before Serbian elections so that a new government more to the West’s liking cannot be accused of losing Trepca.” Intended to put the blame at the feet of Milosevic for “losing” this property, vital to Yugoslavia, so he would be denied re-election by an outraged populace.
The Serbs, however, had sensed the trap thus laid for them and had confined themselves to short, repressive police actions against the Kosovo Albanian population, none of which had been sufficient in duration, extent or intensity to provide the pretext necessary for the Bilderberg elite to rally Western European and American public support for a full-fledged military engagement against the Serbs. Financing and arming of the newly-revealed Kosovo Liberation Army provided the Bilderbergers with no dividends at all… and the clock was running out on their schedule. They needed this war, and they needed it soon.
The justification for intervening, or to use ICG’s terminology the “game-plan of measures,” was given as, of all things, Zvecan environmental hazards, that is dangerous atmospheric lead pollution! The ICG advised UNMIK to instruct a “Zvecan environmental assessment team” to report on the status of the equipment, and determine the measures to be taken.”
UNMIK was further advised to issue a statement wherein “the mines would remain closed until repairs could be made to reduce emissions.” Furthermore, according to the ICG secret report, “Stari Trg, one of the richest mines in Europe, must be potentially profitable again and should be a priority for donors interested in setting Kosovo on its feet.” In other words, “You donate money, which we will use to channel into our Bilderberg-controlled corporations that shall reap handsome profits from the rebuilding process, all supervised by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and we will have taken over the crown jewels of Yugoslavia for a song and a dance.”
The last morsel of the Kosovo Trepca Industrial complex still in the hands of the Yugoslav government, the Zvecan smelter, was seized by NATO forces on August 14, 2000. The ICG instructed UNMIK, headed by France’s former Minister of Health and the Founder of Doctors without Borders (Medecins sans frontiers), Bernard Kouchner, to “take over management of Trepca itself,” even though the true ownership of the mines was, at the time, a hotly contested issue worth billions of dollars to the eventual winner. Kouchner, “whose mandate was to channel humanitarian aid under UN auspices, worked closely with NATO officials including Wesley Clark in providing support to Kosovo’s terrorist paramilitary army. Kouchner is also a member of the Bilderberg Group.
Was it possible to plunder virtually all of Kosovo? On June, 1999, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, pursuant to authority given to him by the UN Security Council as Special Representative of the Secretary General, issued the following edict: “UNMIK shall administer movable or immovable property, including monies, bank accounts, and other property of, or registered in the name of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or the Republic of Serbia or any of its organs, which is in the territory of Kosovo.”
Think about that. And remember that the power to “administrate” implies the power to redistribute.
Financier George Soros invested heavily in Kosovo, spending perhaps $100 million to help oust President Milosevic. The George Soros Foundation for an Open Society opened a branch office in Pristina. It established the Kosovo Foundation for an Open Society (KFOS) as part of the Soros network of “non-profit foundations” in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. On November 6, 1999, the World Bank issued a press release that confirmed that, together with the World Bank’s Post Conflict Trust Fund, the KOSF provided “targeted support” for “the development of local governments to allow them to serve their communities in a transparent, fair and accountable manner.”But, as Michel Chossudovsky observed wryly, “Since most of these local governments are in the hands of the KLA, which has extensive links to organized crime, this program is unlikely to meet its declared objective.’
Neil Clark left little in doubt with the title of his article on Soros’ activities for the New Statesman of June 2,2003: “The billionaire trader has become Eastern Europe’s uncrowned king and the prophet of an ‘open society’. But open to what?”
Karen Talbot, in her review of Neil Clark’s article for http://www.glohalresearch.ca, quoted him in this excerpt: “Soros’ way is to use a few billion dollars, some NGOs and a ‘nod and wink from the US State department’ to bring down foreign governments that are ‘bad for business’ to seize a nation’s assets, and even get thanked for your benevolence.”
Soros’ well-known animus for US President George W Bush may seem puzzling given their similar New-World-Order objectives… By making US ambitions so clear, the Bush gang has committed the cardinal sin of giving the game away. For years, Soros and his NGOs have gone about their work extending the boundaries of the ‘free world’ so skillfully that hardly anyone noticed. Now a Texan redneck and a gang of overzealous Neocons have blown it.”
Slobodan Milosevic died on the same day that his arch-enemy, Agim Ceku, former commander of the KLA was elected Prime Minister of Kosovo. Milosevic death certainly came as a relief to the Hague Tribunal who, for the preceding four years, had been trying unsuccessfully to convict a man who stood his ground before the entire world.
Milosevic was found dead in his prison cell on March 11, 2006, apparently the victim of a heart attack. Clearly, Milosevic’s death remains suspicious. According to my sources within the Belarusian KGB working for Stepan Sukhorenko, whose acc count of the events has been categorically confirmed by sources in the Russian Foreign Ministry and by senior US counterintelligence operatives overseeing the Milosevic trial, Milosevic’s “timely” death was an outright assassination.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM86prWdqgU&feature=related
Lafayette Sennacherib says:
Wow! Great stuff Whodareswings! That’s one of the best pieces I’ve read on Kosovo. Yes, Neil Clark is one of the good guys. It’s worth following his blog – he doesn’t post that much that often but there are some gems.
Robert, I don’t know why you keep coming out with this stuff. I don’t think you even believe it. I know you like getting up people’s noses but think what you’re doing here. You know that all that shit about rape camps was a fabrication. The Serbs have had their society destroyed and their resources stolen by the combined might of Nato, and like the Palestinians the victims have been blamed. But not even the Palestinians have been so shamelessly slandered as the Serbs and Milosevic. The new Hitler? How many million Iraqis did he kill? Makes you wonder if the old Hitler was as bad as they make out?
P.S. the singing in that video reminds me very much of Bear McCreary’s theme music for Battlestar Galactica (the SF channel remake tv series, a whole different ball-game from the original 70s camp one)
Taste of theme music here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd4_G0Uky5U
All the Leftist-Marxist cinestes in Paris in 1995 were excoriating Imir Kustarica and Goran Bregovic for accepting Serb gov’t funding for the genius movies they were making. Bregovic’s trans-generationaly beloved rock band White Button had apparently broken up over the emerging nationalist sympathies among it’s ex-Yugoslavian members. I was in Sarajevo acting as the official tour photographer for Laibach when the Dayton Peace Accord was signed. The Slovenians wouldn’t allow Bregovic to perform in their country. There were no Serb run Chevapcici kiosks left in Ljubljana and all the Slovenes I knew were either working at the Soros Foundation HQ or hanging out a few blocks away at a Soros funded cyber center. I was there thanks in part to NYC based Soros benificence and the last leg of Laibach’s “Occupied Europe NATO Tour 1994-1995,” two free concerts at the National Theater of Sarajevo, was underwritten in total by Soros. We were driven in armored Humvees from Split to Sarajevo through bombed out Mostar. I wanted to take a side trip to Medjugorje because I’d heard that’s where the Croatian paramilitaries went for their drugging and whoring. I was, like, Pee Wee Herman pretending to be William T. Vollman and I was mad for Mihaela whom I wanted to impress with my courage and proximity to Laibach. She couldn’t have cared less. That’s the last time I was derailed by love and “progressive” politics.
I went to Sarajevo with Laibach because Dragan Zivodinov couldn’t go. I took his place in the Humvee. If you like Star Trek you’ll like NOORDUNG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUr1zGq5OMM
Very interesting. But I DON’T like Star Trek. BG was (it’s finished now, though there’s a spin-0ff called Caprica on the way) a different ball-game; closer to what SF should be. For grown-ups. But the writers blew it after about 2 1/2 seasons. Noordung looks interesting as far as artsy fartsy stuff goes.
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Childhood sensorineural hearing loss and adult mental health up to 43 years later: results from the HUNT study
Mariann Idstad ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6891-14041,
Kristian Tambs1 na1,
Lisa Aarhus2 &
Bo Lars Engdahl1
Hearing loss is a global public health problem putting millions of people at risk of experiencing impediments in communication and potentially impaired mental health. Many studies in this field are based on small, cross sectional samples using self-report measures. The present study aims to investigate the association between childhood sensorineural hearing loss and mental health in adult men and women longitudinally in a large cohort with a matched control group, and hearing is measured by pure-tone audiometry. Studies of this kind are virtually non-existing.
The present study combines data from two large studies; the School Hearing Investigation in Nord-Trøndelag (SHINT) carried out yearly from 1954 to 1986, and the second wave of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2) conducted from 1995 to 1997. The participants were 7, 10 or 13 years during the SHINT, and between 20 and 56 years old during HUNT 2. The total sample consisted of 32,456 participants (of which 32,104 in the reference group). Participants with a sensorineural hearing loss in SHINT of 41 dB or more were classified with moderate-severe hearing loss (N = 66), 26–40 dB as mild (N = 66) and 16–25 dB as slight (N = 220). Mental health in adulthood was measured in HUNT 2 by symptoms of anxiety and depression, subjective well-being, and self-esteem. The association between childhood sensorineural hearing loss and adult mental health was tested by means of ANOVA.
There was a significant relation between slight childhood sensorineural hearing loss and lowered subjective well-being in women (B = −.25, p = 0.038). Further investigation of the results revealed a significant association between slight hearing loss and symptoms of anxiety and depression (B = .30, p = 0.054) and between mild hearing loss and lowered self-esteem (B = .63, p = 0.024) among women aged 20–39 years. There were no significant relations between childhood sensorineural hearing loss and any of the three mental health outcomes among men.
This study suggests that women with slight or mild sensorineural hearing loss from childhood experience elevated levels of symptoms of anxiety and depression, lowered subjective well-being and lowered self-esteem. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to a lack of power in some analyses.
Hearing loss is a global public health problem, listed by the World Health Organization as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide [1]. An estimated 32 million children and 328 million adults suffer from hearing loss, corresponding to 5.3% of the world’s population [2]. Using data from 29 countries, Stevens and colleagues [3] reported that 1.4% of children and 9.8–12.2% of adults suffered from hearing loss, and that prevalences are especially high in low- and middle-income countries. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a result of damage to the auditory nerve or the hair cells of the inner ear, and may be acquired, genetic or idiopathic. About 1–4 per 1000 babies are born with SNHL [4,5,6]. Although it is generally assumed that a more severe hearing loss entails a greater developmental setback for the child, this is a complex matter depending on many factors like for example the child’s age at identification [7].
One of the most important repercussions of any hearing loss is the impediment of communication [8]. The inability to communicate with other people may lead to feelings of isolation and frustration, and, ultimately, to poor mental health. Like hearing loss, poor mental health is a major public health issue. Depression and anxiety disorders rank among the top six contributors to global disability and tend to be more common among women than among men [9]. Subjective well-being (the extent to which an individual evaluates his or her life as good and desirable) and self-esteem are also important markers of mental health since they are associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression [10, 11]. Hence, if hearing loss negatively impacts a person’s self-esteem, this may be detrimental to his or her relationships with other people as well as quality of life [12].
A number of studies have demonstrated an association between hearing loss and mental health in children and adolescents. Recently, Theunissen and colleagues [13] reviewed the literature on psychopathology in children and adolescents with hearing loss. Studies in which the participants had permanent bilateral hearing loss of 40–120 dB in the better ear were included in the review. The authors concluded that compared to peers with normal hearing, children and adolescents with hearing loss are at a higher risk of developing mental health problems. Similarly, another recent review including a wide variety of definitions of hearing loss reported that children with hearing loss had scores on emotional and behavioural difficulties that were one quarter to one third of a standard deviation higher than their hearing peers [14]. There is also evidence for a longitudinal association. For example, Hogan and colleagues [15] found that children with hearing loss at baseline had elevated levels of adverse psychosocial outcomes like emotional distress and peer problems 6 years later. In this study, however, parents were simply asked a categorical yes or no question about whether their child had hearing problems. The type or severity of hearing loss could thus not be identified. Moeller [12] reviewed studies on psychosocial development in children focusing especially on children with mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing losses. The tendency was for children with hearing loss to score lower on quality of life and higher on behaviour problems than hearing children, but results varied and the majority of the studies did not detect any association between the degree of hearing loss and psychosocial outcomes. However, the author noted that this might be due to low statistical power since these studies were based on small samples.
Although there seems to be a growing body of research demonstrating a relationship between hearing loss and mental health and self-esteem, results are not unanimous. Mejstad and colleagues [16] invited all children between 11 and 18 years who had received a hearing aid in three counties in Southern Sweden to partake in a questionnaire survey. A total of 111 children participated (43%), of which 60 pupils attended regular schools and had mild to moderate hearing loss, 23 attended schools for the hard of hearing and had moderate to severe hearing loss, and 28 attended schools for the deaf and had profound hearing loss. Although the exact degree of hearing loss was unknown, the type of school served as a proxy, since children with more severe hearing losses are normally referred to special schools like the two latter ones. Questionnaire data on mental health and self-esteem showed that boys had more mental health problems than girls and that children with profound hearing loss had lower scores on mental health and self-esteem than the other two groups. Since the study lacked a control group, the authors compared the mental health scores and the self-esteem scores with results from two Nordic population based studies. They detected a lower score on mental health among the Swedish girls, but no difference between the boys. As a group, there was no difference in self-esteem between Swedish children and those in the Nordic studies, however, the children in regular Swedish schools had higher scores and children in deaf Swedish schools had lower scores.
Finally, Øhre and colleagues [17] examined existing research on the prevalence of mental disorders among prelingually deaf adults and concluded that although symptoms of anxiety and depression seem to be more common among the deaf, studies are simply too few, too heterogenous and of too poor quality to draw any firm conclusions.
To sum up, there is broad agreement among researchers that hearing loss is a public health problem that may have detrimental effects, that it is a complex and understudied issue, and that more research is needed [17,18,19,20]. Despite the magnitude of this problem, population based studies are rare [3], and many studies rely on self-report measures of hearing loss.
The aim of the present study is to investigate the relation between childhood sensorineural hearing loss and mental health in adult men and women, respectively, in terms of subjective well-being, self-esteem, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. In a previous paper based on cross-sectional data, we found a weak to moderate association between hearing loss and mental health in adults [21], and now we use that same data material together with data on schoolchildren to investigate longitudinal effects of childhood sensorineural hearing loss. This is an epidemiological study spanning 43 years. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study of its kind.
The present study combines baseline data from the School Hearing Investigation in Nord-Trøndelag (SHINT) with follow-up data from the Nord-Trøndelag Hearing Loss Study (NTHLS) and the second wave of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2) in Norway. All NTHLS participants also participated in the HUNT 2. Altogether, data from three questionnaires are used in this study: the questionnaire from the NTHLS (NTHLS-Q1), and both questionnaires from HUNT 2 (HUNT2-Q1 and HUNT2-Q2). The HUNT2-Q2 was handed out at the examination cite and returned by mail later, the response rate for the sample used in the present study was 76.3%.
The SHINT was an audiometric screening of all schoolchildren attending regular schools in the county of Nord-Trøndelag aged 7, 10 and 13 years from 1954 to 1986. The late H.F. Fabritius who was a Norwegian Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist, led the investigation. Great efforts were made to ensure participation, and Dr. Fabritius himself even rowed a boat to reach a small island off the Norwegian coast in order to include the people who lived there. Unfortunately, the exact number of participants is unknown, since records were only made for children with hearing loss, and not for children with normal hearing. We do know, however, that 78,524 children were born in Nord-Trøndelag between 1941 and 1977, which may serve as a proxy.
The initial screening included as good as every single pupil in the entire county and took place in a quiet location at the respective school. A trained hearing assistant or a nurse performed the hearing examination. Air-conduction thresholds were obtained by means of pure tone audiometry at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 kHz utilizing Amplivox audiometers (type 70, and later models 51 and 81). Pupils were registered with hearing loss if 1) thresholds of 20 dB or greater at three or more frequencies in the same ear were detected, or if 2) a threshold of 30 dB or more at one or more frequencies were detected.
A total of 10,269 children were classified with hearing loss at the screening. All of these children were then invited to a full examination by an ENT specialist at one of the 14 out-patient clinics in Nord-Trøndelag. Questionnaire data regarding the children’s ear problems were collected from the parents. The ENT specialist performed a new pure tone audiometry with both air- and bone-conduction thresholds as well as a complete medical examination including family and medical history, recording findings and diagnoses. Children underwent one or more ENT examinations depending on the diagnoses in order to ensure correct classification. Dr. Fabritius defined SNHL as hearing loss in which the air-conduction thresholds followed those of the bone-conduction, although he did not include a maximum accepted air-bone gap in this definition. In this study, we rely on the diagnosis made by Dr. Fabritius and the other ENT specialists. The attendance rate was 97% between 1954 and 1962 and it is likely that the high participation rate persisted [22].
Out of the 10,269 children who tested positively for hearing loss at the screening, 1489 were diagnosed with Sensorineural Hearing Loss according to Dr. Fabritius’ definition. However, only 3066 out of the 10,269 children from the screening in the SHINT also participated in the NTHLS as adults, and just 462 out of the original 1489 SNHL cases from the SHINT also participated in the NTHLS. There were several reasons for this attrition, like for example loss of identification number or not being old enough to be invited to the NTHLS, or possibly moving away from the county (for more details, see [23]).
For the purpose of the present study, we wanted to distinguish between profound-severe, moderate, and mild hearing loss, respectively. We estimated the average hearing threshold of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz in both ears from the last audiogram (from the ENT examination, not from the screening), which for most participants was at age 13. This means that the hearing loss might have emerged at different points in time for the participants, somewhere between birth and 13 years of age. We defined moderate-severe hearing loss as 41 dB or more (ranging to 100, which means that this group also includes profound hearing loss), mild hearing loss as 26–40 dB, and slight hearing loss as 16–25 dB, resulting in 67 cases in each of the two former groups and 223 cases in the latter. This reduced the case group from 462 to 357.
Finally, since the present study has mental health variables as outcome, we wanted to exclude cases that might be struggling with mental health problems at baseline. We cross-checked the case group with data on the following conditions registered at baseline: “Retarded”, “Cerebral paralysis”, “Mental health issues”, “Mental distress/ depressed”, “Down’s syndrome”, and “Is receiving psychological treatment”. Three individuals were registered as “Retarded”, one individual was registered with “Cerebral paralysis”, and one individual with “Downs syndrome”. These cases were excluded from further analysis, resulting in a total case group of 357 of which 220 are in the case group with slight hearing loss whereas the other two groups include 66 individuals each.
The NTHLS was a part of the second wave of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2) carried out in 1995–97. In HUNT 2, the entire adult population in Nord-Trøndelag County was invited to participate, whereas in NTHLS, the adult population in 17 of the 23 municipalities was invited to participate. Data on mental health were available for 51,574 people (62.8%) and the age span was 20 to 101 years. Participants in the NTHLS who had not been diagnosed with a hearing loss at SHINT were used as the reference group, following the assumption that all of these people grew up in Nord-Trøndelag and therefore participated in the SHINT. Since the SHINT lasted from 1954 to 1986 and the NTHLS from 1995 to 1997, the oldest participants to attend both SHINT and NTHLS would have been 13 years in 1954, thus 56 years old in 1997. Therefore, we only selected people 56 years and younger from the NTHLS for the reference group. This resulted in a sample of 32,456 individuals.
To sum up, the sample consisted of 66 individuals with moderate-severe hearing loss, 66 with mild hearing loss, 220 with slight hearing loss, and 32,104 with normal hearing (reference group).
Childhood sensorineural hearing loss (predictor)
For the purpose of the present study, only children diagnosed with SNHL were selected. In the present study, we estimated the average hearing threshold of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz in both ears from the last audiogram. We defined moderate-severe hearing loss as 41 dB or more, mild hearing loss as 26–40 dB, and slight hearing loss as 16–25 dB.
Mental health (outcome)
Ten of the 25 items from the Symptom Checklist-25 [24], here called SCL-10, were included in the NTHLS-Q1 and were used to measure mental health. Four questions tap anxiety and six questions tap depression. The distribution of the SCL-10 scores was skewed and the scores were therefore log transformed. A high score on this index reflects poor mental health. Cronbach’s alpha was .86. Using another available data material [25], we estimated the correlation between the SCL-25 global score (anxiety and depression jointly) and the short-form global score to .97.
Subjective well-being (outcome)
The index consists of three items from HUNT2-Q1, phrased as follows: When you think about your life at the moment, would you say that you are by and large satisfied with life, or are you mostly dissatisfied? (seven response categories ranging from “very happy” to “very unhappy”); In the course of the last 2 weeks, have you been feeling safe and calm?; In the course of the last 2 weeks, have you been feeling happy and optimistic? (four response categories ranging from “no” to “a lot” for both items). The first question was recoded so that a high score on this variable reflects a high level of subjective well-being. Because of the different number of response categories, the items were standardized before they were added into a sum score indicator. Cronbach’s alpha was .84.
Self-esteem (outcome)
Four items from The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [26] were included in HUNT2-Q2. The questions are phrased as follows: I take a positive attitude toward myself; I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal plane with others; I feel I do not have much to be proud of; I certainly feel useless at times. The two last items were recoded before the items were added as a sum score so that a high score on this variable reflects a low level of self-esteem. Cronbach’s alpha was estimated to.74 in the present data set. The four-item short form scale has been shown to correlate .95 with the original instrument [21].
The scores for all of the three outcome variables were standardized before entered in the analyses.
Control variables included in this study are age, education, mother’s education and father’s education, respectively. The data were provided by Statistics Norway with the following ten categories: 1) No education/preschool, 2) primary school 1st to 7th grade, 3) middle school 8th to 10th grade, 4) high school 11th to 12th grade, 5) high school diploma 13th grade, 6) high school extended, 7) college or university, lower level, 14th to 17th grade, 8) college or university, higher level, 18th to 19th grade, 9) PhD level, 20th grade or more, 10) education not reported. We recoded categories 1, 2, 3 and 10 into “Primary school”, category 4 into “middle school”, categories 5 and 6 into “high school”, category 7 into “college/university, less than 4 years”, and categories 8 and 9 into “college/university, 4 years or more”.
Treatment of missing values
As mentioned earlier, records for normal hearing were not registered in the SHINT, which means that for many frequencies, values below 20 dB were missing. The missing value for each frequency was therefore replaced by the frequency specific mean values of the scores below 20 dB in the original sample (N = 10,269).
For the outcome variables, we used SPSS Missing Value Analysis (MVA), expectation maximization (EM) for imputation of missing data where the respondent had valid data on at least half of the items. The ten SCL items were used to predict each other. This reduced missing values from 7.9 to 0.3%. For SWB, the items were used to predict each other in those cases where the respondent had valid data on two of the three questions, reducing missing values from 8.0 to 4.9%. The Self-esteem items were included in HUNT2-Q2, and, as mentioned above, this questionnaire was returned by somewhat fewer respondents (76.3%) than the other two questionnaires. For this reason, there was a larger percentage of missing values on the Self-esteem variable compared to the SCL-10 and SWB variables. Missing data were replaced for respondents who had valid data on at least two of the four items. The four Self-esteem items were used to predict each other, reducing missing values from 19.6 to 17.8%.
A total of 319 participants (0.9%) as well as 4697 fathers (14.5%) and 3402 mothers (14.5%) did not report level of education and missing values were replaced by the sample mean.
Design and statistical analyses
This study applies a longitudinal design, investigating the association between childhood sensorineural hearing loss at baseline and adult mental health up to 43 years later. In order to study this association separately in men and women, we split the dataset into to new datasets; one including men only, and one with women only. Three ANOVA analyses (IBM SPSS 24, General Linear Models, Unianova) were conducted consecutively in each data set (the total sample, the male sample and the female sample, respectively) with Childhood Sensorineural Hearing Loss (CSNHL) as the predictor and SCL-10, Subjective Well-Being, and Self-Esteem as the respective outcomes. Since the dependent variables were standardized before entered in the analyses, the unstandardized regression coefficients (b) show adjusted group mean differences scaled in fractions of a standard deviation. This makes it easier to interpret the results. The first model tests the association between childhood sensorineural hearing loss and adult mental health, whereas the second model tests the same association controlled for age, education, and mother’s and father’s education, respectively. In the analyses with the total sample we also included sex as a control variable (but not in the analyses with the male sample or female sample).
Descriptive statistics for the three case groups with childhood sensorineural hearing loss (slight, mild, and moderate-severe) and for the reference group without childhood sensorineural hearing loss, respectively, are presented in Table 1. The table shows that the average scores on symptoms of anxiety and depression, subjective well-being and self-esteem are quite similar in the case groups and the reference group.
Table 1 Characteristics of the four groups: the reference group with no childhood sensorineural hearing loss (CSNHL) and the case groups with slight, mild, or moderate-severe CSNHL
The unadjusted and adjusted results from the ANOVA analyses are presented in Tables 2, 3 and 4. Table 2 shows the results from the analysis of the total sample. No significant effects were detected.
Table 2 ANOVA: Relation between childhood sensorineural hearing loss (CSNHL) and symptoms of anxiety and depression (SCL-10), subjective well-being (SWB), and self-esteem (SE) in adulthood for the total sample. N = 32,456 (of which 32,104 are in the reference group)
Table 3 ANOVA: Relation between childhood sensorineural hearing loss (CSNHL) and symptoms of anxiety and depression (SCL-10), subjective well-being (SWB), and self-esteem (SE) in adulthood for men. N = 15,279 (of which 15,059 are in the reference group)
Table 4 ANOVA: Relation between childhood sensorineural hearing loss (CSNHL) and symptoms of anxiety and depression (SCL-10), subjective well-being (SWB), and self-esteem (SE) in adulthood for women. N = 17,177 (of which 17,045 are in the reference group)
Table 3 shows the results from the analysis of the male sample. There were no significant associations between childhood sensorineural hearing loss and any of the three outcomes.
Table 4 shows the results from the analysis of the female sample. The table shows that there was a significant association between slight childhood sensorineural hearing loss and lowered subjective well-being in women. There was also a clear trend for lowered self-esteem among women with mild hearing loss as well as a higher symptom level of anxiety and depression among women with slight hearing loss, but these results did not reach significance, although effect sizes were similar to that of subjective well-being (B = .27, p = 0.161, and B = .22, p = 0.083, respectively).
We took the analysis one step further by dividing the sample of women into two different age cohorts; one aged 20–39 years and one aged 40–56 years. Rerunning the analyses in each age cohort revealed a significant association between slight hearing loss and symptoms of anxiety and depression (B = .30, p = 0.054) as well as a significant association between mild hearing loss and lowered self-esteem (B = .63, p = 0.024) among women in the youngest age group. Although the associations between slight hearing loss and self-esteem among women in the youngest age group and between slight hearing loss and lowered subjective well-being among women in the oldest age group had small to moderate effect sizes, they did not reach significance (B = .26, p = 0.134 and B = −.35, p = 0.083, respectively).
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between sensorineural hearing loss in childhood and mental health in adulthood in terms of symptoms of anxiety and depression, subjective well-being and self-esteem. The results in this study suggest that women in general who have a slight childhood sensorineural hearing loss experience lower subjective well-being as adults compared to hearing women. Furthermore, younger adult women with slight hearing loss seem to be vulnerable to an elevated symptom level of anxiety and depression and younger adult women with mild hearing loss report lower self-esteem than their hearing peers. These results offer support to the growing body of literature demonstrating that people with childhood hearing loss are at risk of experiencing poor mental health (i.e., [13,14,15]). However, we did not find any effects in the male cohort, which may be interpreted as evidence that males with hearing loss are not at any particular risk of mental health problems in adulthood. This result is also in line with the finding from the study by Mejstad and colleagues [16] that the Swedish boys did not differ from their Nordic peers. Furthermore, the Swedish girls had poorer mental health than their Nordic peers, and this resembles our result of (young adult) women with slight or mild hearing loss scoring significantly poorer on all three mental health outcomes. However, in the Swedish study, the children with the most severe hearing loss had the lowest scores on mental health and self-esteem, whereas in our study, it was the opposite: those classified with moderate-severe hearing loss did not differ from the reference group; the only significant effects were found in the groups with slight or mild hearing loss. This is in contrast to the prevailing notion that greater severity of the hearing loss is accompanied by correspondingly greater difficulties, and supports the idea that it is equally important to focus on people with less severe hearing loss [7]. The fact that we did not detect any effects in the group classified with moderate-severe hearing loss in our study is, however, somewhat counterintuitive. One might expect deaf individuals to feel completely excluded from the hearing world, whereas people with slight or mild hearing loss might be assumed to feel like they could be a part of it to a greater extent. But it may also be the opposite; maybe it is more exhausting to have limited hearing and to always try and hear what people say than to be in the stable condition of hearing close to nothing. Finally, if deaf people who consider themselves as part of a deaf minority culture are less likely to report low subjective well-being, this might have deflated our results. These are however mere speculations, and the results should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of participants in some of the analyses.
It is difficult to explain why we did not detect any effects among the men with hearing loss in our study. It is possible that this reflects a gender difference in which women with hearing loss struggle more when they enter adulthood. Perhaps women find the impediments that the hearing loss puts on communication more burdensome than men, or perhaps this merely reflects the tendency for women in general to score higher on anxiety and depression than men [9].
The size of the SHINT (all the schools in Nord-Trøndelag County were included) and NTHLS/HUNT (more than 50,000 respondents) investigations and the possibility to follow the children with hearing loss all the way into adulthood more than 40 years later makes our data material rather unique. No other study has been able to do this, as far as we know. Since children were screened for hearing loss at three different ages (7, 10 and 13 years), most cases have probably been identified. Another strength is the use of pure tone audiometry, which leaves little room for measurement error. Obviously, hearing measurement equipment did not hold the same standard in the 1950’s as in the 1980’s, however, the researchers used the best equipment following international standards at the time. What is more, the children were thoroughly examined one or more times by an ENT specialist using air- and bone conduction thresholds. Hence, we feel reasonably sure that most cases were indeed identified. However, although all efforts were made to ensure correct identification of sensorineural hearing loss, the occurrence of misclassification cannot be completely ruled out. Also, we do not know if the children received hearing aids of any kind.
The recording of additional disorders and problems in the SHINT allowed us to exclude individuals who had been registered with mental health problems at baseline from our study. This means that we can be reasonably sure that the children included in our study were relatively mentally healthy at baseline. We know that the researchers who collected the data in the SHINT were meticulous in their work. Furthermore, it is not very likely that the children in our study struggled with many severe challenges other than the hearing loss, since children with multiple challenges are normally referred to special schools.
Although it is an advantage to be able to follow up a cohort over more than forty years, it is also a challenge. Firstly, many things may have happened in between baseline and follow-up; people may get a mental illness and still have plenty of time to recover without us knowing. Even if our failing to detect a relation between hearing loss and mental health among men reflects a true absence of associations, our results do not necessarily mean that boys with hearing loss automatically learned to cope with their hearing loss and then uninhibitedly reached adulthood with their mental health intact. We cannot know for sure. Secondly, it might have been very different growing up with sensorineural hearing loss in the 1950’s than in the 1980’s. There is a larger acceptance and understanding for minority groups of all kinds now that hopefully makes it somewhat easier for people with hearing loss to navigate in the hearing world. But following such a line of reasoning, one might have expected more mental health problems among the eldest group of adults and not the youngest, but that was not the case. Rather, if it is the youngest adults that struggle the most, then this is especially important to address in our (seemingly) accepting society. On the other hand, maybe the eldest group struggles just as much, only we did not have the statistical power to detect it.
There was a loss of observations from the SHINT to the NTHLS, as only 3066 of the 10,269 original cases participated in the NTHLS. Our research group investigated this in a previous article [23] and found several explanations. Many SHINT participants were not invited to the NTHLS because they lived in other municipalities, some were too young to be invited, and some were lost because of missing identification numbers. Moreover, no important differences were found between SHINT participants who did and did not attend the NTHLS. For more details, see Aarhus et al. [23]. In general, there is a tendency for prelingually deaf people not to participate in epidemiological studies because researchers may not possess the necessary procedures to reach signing people, moreover, limited literacy might also be an issue [17]. As in all epidemiological studies, there is always a danger of systematic bias and attrition.
Our reference group consisted of adults who participated in the NTHLS and who were not registered with hearing loss at the SHINT. This means that we assume that these people went to primary school in Nord-Trøndelag and, consequently, that they attended SHINT. This is a rather crude approximation. The reference group undoubtedly includes some false negatives since some of the respondents in this group may have moved to Nord-Trøndelag as young adults, and therefore did not attend the SHINT. However, this would not have affected our results much since even a substantial number of false negatives in the reference group would have been greatly outnumbered by the true negatives.
Our study suggests that girls with slight or mild SNHL are at risk of having mental health problems as adults. On the one hand, this supports earlier research showing an association between hearing loss and mental health in general, but on the other hand, it contradicts it, since we only detected effects for women and not for men. Studies on hearing loss are vulnerable to attrition and our study is no exception; our results therefore need to be interpreted with caution. This field of research is still in great need of more longitudinal studies based on large, representative samples in order to disentangle the many complex issues related to hearing loss and mental health.
HUNT 2:
The second wave of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, Norway
NTHLS:
the Nord-Trøndelag Hearing Loss Study, Norway
SHINT:
the School Hearing Investigation in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway
SNHL:
World Health Organization. The Global Burden of Disease: 2004 Update. Geneva; 2008.
World Health Organization: WHO Global Estimates on Prevalence of Hearing Loss; 2012. http://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/WHO_GE_HL.pdf. Accessed 24 Jan 2019.
Stevens G, Flaxman S, Brunskill E, Mascarenhas M, Mathers CD, Finucane M. Global and regional hearing impairment prevalence: an analysis of 42 studies in 29 countries. Eur J Pub Health. 2013;23:146–52.
Russ SA, Poulakis Z, Barker M, Wake M, Rickards F, Sounders K, et al. Epidemiology of congenital hearing loss in Victoria, Australia. Int J Audiol. 2003;42:385–90.
Smith RJH, BaleJr JF, White KR. Sensorineural hearing loss in children. Lancet. 2005;365:879–90.
Prosser JD, Cohen AP, Greinwald JH. Diagnostic evaluation of children with sensorineural hearing loss. Otolaryngol Clin N Am. 2015;48:975–82.
Tharpe AM, Gustafson S. Management of children with mild, moderate, and moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss. Otolaryngol Clin N Am. 2015;48:983–94.
Arlinger S. Negative consequences of uncorrected hearing loss - a review. Int J Audiol. 2003;42(Suppl 2):17–20.
World Health Organization. Depression and other Commmon mental disorders: Global Health estimates. Geneva: WHO; 2017.
Diener E, Pressman SD, Hunter J, Delgadillo-Chase D. If, why, and when subjective well-being influences health, and future needed research. AP:HWB. 2017;9:133–67.
Derdikman-Eiron R, Indredavik MS, Bratberg GH, Taraldsen G, Bakken IJ, Colton M. Gender differences in subjective well-being, self-esteem and psychosocial functioning in adolescents with symptoms of anxiety and depression: findings from the Nord-Trøndelag health study. Scand J Psychol. 2011;52:261–7.
Moeller MP. Current state of knowledge: psychosocial development in children with hearing impairment. Ear Hear. 2007;28:729–39.
Theunissen SCPM, Rieffe C, Netten AP, Briarie JJ, Soede W, Schoones JW, et al. Psychopathology and its risk and protective factors in hearing-impaired children and adolescents: a systematic review. JAMA Pediatr. 2014;168:170–7.
Stevenson J, Kreppner J, Pimperton H, Worsfold S, Kennedy C. Emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and adolescents with hearing impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015;24:477–96.
Hogan A, Phillips RL, Howard D, Yiengprugsawan V. Psychosocial outcomes of children with ear infections and hearing problems: a longitudinal study. BMC Pediatr. 2014;14:65.
Mejstad L, Heiling K, Svedin CG. Mental health and self-image among deaf and hard of hearing children. Am Ann Deaf. 2009;153:504–15.
Øhre B, von Tetzchner S, Falkum E. Deaf adults and mental health: a review of recent research on the prevalence and distribution of psychiatric symptoms and disorders in the prelingually deaf adult population. Int J Mental Health Deaf. 2011;1:3–22.
McMahon CM. Hearing loss in older age and its effect on the individuals, their families and the community. In: Vona B, Haaf T, editors. Genetics of Deafness Basel: Karger; 2016. p. 9–18.
Peer S. Turning up the volume on hearing loss in South Africa. S Afr Med J. 2015;105:31–2.
Olusanya BO, Neumann KJ, Saunders JE. The global burden of disabling hearing impairment: a call to action. Bull World Health Organ. 2014;92:367–73.
Tambs K. Moderate effects of hearing loss on mental health and subjective well-being: results from the Nord-Trondelag hearing loss study. Psychosom Med. 2004;66:776–82.
Fabritius HF. Hearing investigations of school children in north Trøndelag County. J Oslo City Hosp. 1968;18:5–44.
Aarhus L, Tambs K, Kvestad E, Engdahl B. Childhood otitis media: a cohort study with 30-year follow-up of hearing (the HUNT study). Ear Hear. 2015;36:302–8.
Winokur A, Winokur DF, Rickels K, Cox DS. Symptoms of emotional distress in a family planning service: stability over a four-week period. Br J Psychiatry. 1984;144:395–9.
Tambs K, Moum T. How well can a few questionnaire items indicate anxiety and depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1993;87:364–7.
Rosenberg, M. Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press; 1965.
The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (The HUNT Study) is a collaboration between HUNT Research Centre (Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU), Nord-Trøndelag County Council, Central Norway Regional Health Authority, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. We also wish to thank our colleagues in Nord-Trøndelag involved in the School Hearing Investigation.
The present study received funding from the Extra Foundation: Health and Rehabilitation, Oslo, Norway through a grant application sent in collaboration with the member organization the National Association of the Hard of Hearing. The Extra Foundation had no role related to the design of the study or collection, analysis, or interpretation of data or in writing the manuscript.
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the HUNT Research Centre but restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available.
Kristian Tambs is deceased. This paper is dedicated to his memory.
Department of Chronic Diseases and Ageing, Division for Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Pb 4404 Nydalen, 0403, Oslo, Norway
Mariann Idstad, Kristian Tambs & Bo Lars Engdahl
Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, The National Institute of Occupational Health, Norway, Pb 8149 Dep, 0033, Oslo, Norway
Lisa Aarhus
Mariann Idstad
Kristian Tambs
Bo Lars Engdahl
MI contributed to the design, analysed and interpreted the data, and drafted the manuscript. KT and BLE contributed to the conception and design, acquisition and interpretation of data, and critically revised the manuscript. LA prepared the raw data for analysis, contributed to the interpretation of data, and critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to Mariann Idstad.
All research in HUNT is in accordance with the guidelines of the Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics (REK), Data Inspectorate and applicable law. We do not possess any person identifiable data. All participants in the HUNT study signed an informed consent form allowing the use of their data for research. Participants can demand to have their data deleted from the HUNT database at any given moment.
Idstad, M., Tambs, K., Aarhus, L. et al. Childhood sensorineural hearing loss and adult mental health up to 43 years later: results from the HUNT study. BMC Public Health 19, 168 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6449-2
Subjective well-being
[‘Global health-
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Yuvraaj Parashar,Kittu Gidwani and Kapil Kaustubh Sharma starrer ‘Dunno Y Love is Love’ to be screened at the Cardiff International film festival
Sohel F Fidai
‘Love is Love’, is a trilogy of 11 international Award winning Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun that stars actors like Zarina Wahab, Kapil Kaustubh Sharma, Yuvraaj Parashar, Kitu Gidwani, Bidita Bag, Mona Ambegaonkar and Shahjahan. ‘Love is Love’ is the only Bollywood film to be screened at the prestigious Cardiff International film festival this year.
When asked actor-producer Yuvraaj Parashar about the screening he said, “It’s an honor that Dunno Y is making India proud Overseas… as it will be screened alongside other talented artists. I am thankful to all the cast and crew members of Love is Love whose hard work and passion has got us to this platform today.” The film also witnesses the debut of Zeenat Aman’s son Zahaan Khan as a music composer.
Till date films like Gangs of Wasseypur has been screened at Cardiff International film festival.
“India is creating some exciting cinema and we at Cardiff International Film Festival are very excited to showcase this at our platform. Dunno Y 3 is one them and we are looking forward to welcome the film, the cast and crew to Cardiff” says Rahil Sayed the director of Cardiff International film festival.
The film Dunno Y: Love is Love is written and directed by Kapil Kaustubh Sharma and is produced by Yuvraaj Parashar.
Actress Iti Acharya turns out as a fashionsta at the Times Hospitality Icon 2019
Bollywood welcomes the new villain actor Aakash Ahuja
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Forty Years Before Snowden, Burglars Blew the Roof Off Illegal Domestic Spying
by Joshua Holland
John and Bonnie Raines, two of the burglars, at home in Philadelphia. (Photo: Mark Makela for The New York Times)
In 1971, as opposition to the Vietnam War peaked and civil unrest rattled America, activists knew they were being watched, infiltrated and undermined by the FBI. But they didn’t know the extent of the agency’s efforts, nor how far J. Edgar Hoover’s agents would go to suppress dissent.
That would change one night in March, when eight men and women broke into an FBI satellite office in Media, Pa. They absconded with nearly every piece of paper they could find, sifted through it and anonymously sent various documents detailing the agency’s spying and dirty tricks to major media organizations. While some outlets were initially reticent about reporting on the documents, the revelations would ultimately unleash a torrent of investigative reporting, shining a light on Hoover’s efforts to destroy Martin Luther King and the agency’s now-notorious COINTELPRO program.
The burglars then faded into obscurity until this week, when it was revealed that five of them had agreed to be interviewed for a new book by Betty Medsger, a former Washington Post reporter who was one of the first to receive the stolen documents.
“At first the media barely noticed,” Medsger said on a conference call with reporters on Tuesday. “Two days afterwards, little two-paragraph stories began to appear in various papers. The FBI confirmed the break-in and said that just a couple of files were missing. Two weeks later, we learned that they’d taken everything.”
Medsger would soon receive a package of documents at her office. “I was surprised at what I found. For instance, a document spelled out that a core goal of the FBI was to enhance paranoia and make people think there was an FBI agent behind every mailbox. Other files described massive surveillance of African-Americans at nearly every place they gathered. Agents were required to have at least one informer reporting to them on the activities of black people every two weeks.”
Bonnie Raines was one of the burglars. She described coming to Philadelphia and meeting like-minded young people fighting to end the war. She and her husband, John, had raided a draft board office in one of a number of actions designed to disrupt the conscription of mostly poor young men in the City of Brotherly love. “Philadelphia was a center of anti-war dissent,” she told reporters. “And we realized that Hoover’s FBI was using illegal and heavy-handed surveillance and infiltration to squash dissent. That was widely known but could not be proved – no one in Washington or law enforcement could confront Hoover.”
She and her husband, along with several other activists trusted for their discretion, were then invited to the home of William Davidon, a professor of physics at Haverford College and a prominent figure in anti-war circles. Davidon had a plan to break into an FBI office and secure a smoking gun that could leave no doubt as to what the FBI was doing. The group called themselves the Citizens’ Commission to Investigate the FBI. “Because my husband and I, and our three children lived in a big old house in Germantown, Pa., much of the planning and casing was conducted there,” recalled Bonnie Raines. The group would carefully stake out the office for weeks before the break-in.
John Raines told reporters that he joined the group after years of involvement in the civil rights movement. He was a Freedom Rider in 1961, took part in the Freedom Summer in Mississippi in 1964 and marched with Martin Luther King from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. “Throughout those activities, it became clear that J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI was not at all interested in protecting American rights,” he said. Raines saw it all as part of the same struggle. “If Hoover had succeeded, that would have meant that legalized segregation in the South would have continued.”
Several years later, it became clear to Raines that the FBI was applying the same tactics to the anti-war movement. “All of us involved in the war resistance knew that, but we had no objective evidence to document what we knew.”
That would change after the burglary. “In the media file was the evidence that to be a subversive, all you had to do was to express mild dissent such as in a letter to the editor of your local newspaper,” recalls Medsger. “Or, to be black – to be black was to be considered dangerous in Hoover’s eyes.”
“[W]e wanted the focus of public attention to be on the documents that we found and the policies they exposed, not on us as individuals.” — Keith Forsyth
During the rest of 1971, President Richard Nixon campaigned for re-election on the promise that he’d draw down US forces in Vietnam, and journalists continued to expose the FBI’s abuses. Keith Forsyth, another burglar, said that most of the group thought that their job had been done and returned to their normal lives. He said that they kept silent about the role they’d played not only to evade prosecution, but also because “we wanted the focus of public attention to be on the documents that we found and the policies they exposed, not on us as individuals.”
Five years later, the Church Committee would investigate these and other abuses by America’s national security agencies. It would conclude that “many of the techniques used would be intolerable in a democratic society even if all of the targets had been involved in violent activity, but COINTELPRO went far beyond that…the Bureau conducted a sophisticated vigilante operation aimed squarely at preventing the exercise of First Amendment rights of speech and association.” The committee found that while in some instances field agents weren’t telling their superiors about all of their activities, “the most serious breaches of duty were those of senior officials, who were responsible for controlling intelligence activities and generally failed to assure compliance with the law.”
Four decades later, another burglar named Edward Snowden – one whose tools were far more advanced than the crowbar with which the original burglars gained entry into the FBI’s Media field office – would again steal documents illustrating the breadth of the government’s domestic spying, and again spark a heated national debate over the issue.
Joshua Holland was a senior digital producer for BillMoyers.com and now writes for The Nation. He’s the author of The Fifteen Biggest Lies About the Economy (and Everything Else the Right Doesn’t Want You to Know about Taxes, Jobs and Corporate America) (Wiley: 2010), and host of Politics and Reality Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @JoshuaHol.
What the Press Should Learn From the “Snowden Effect”
Totalitarian Paranoia in the Post-Orwellian Surveillance State
Snowden’s Legal Counsel: Forget About Orwell, Worry About Kafka
Edward Snowden and the Golden Age of Spying: An Interview with Laura Poitras
TOPICS: Civil Liberties, Democracy & Government, History, War & Peace
TAGS: activism, activists, cointelpro, edward snowden, fbi, j edgar hoover, nsa, surveillance, widget
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Home / Teams / Team Liquid
Worldrank #10
Stewie2k
Jake Yip
Jacky “Stewie” Yip (born January 7, 1998) is an American professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player. He currently plays for Team Liquid. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in North America, despite having only played CS:GO since the summer of 2014. Stewie formerly played on other NA rosters such as Cloud9, Splyce and MIBR. Now, Young Stew found his home on Team Liquid.
Together with the rest of the Team Liquid squad, he won his first BLAST event at BLAST Pro Series Los Angeles 2019.
CONNECT WITH PLAYER
Twistzz
Russel David Van Dulken
Being the youngest player on Team Liquid, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken (born November 14, 1999) is a Canadian professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player who currently plays for Team Liquid.
The young star’s first appearance at a BLAST event was BLAST Pro Series São Paulo in the beginning of 2019. Together with the rest of the Team Liquid roster, he won his first BLAST event at BLAST Pro Series Los Angeles 2019.
nitr0
Nicholas Cannella
Nicholas “nitr0” Cannella (born August 16, 1995) is an American Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and former Counter-Strike 1.6 player. He currently plays for Team Liquid as the in-game leader, while also being the longest standing member on the American Team Liquid squad.
nitr0 is also known to pick up the AWP for Team Liquid occasionally. Together with the rest of the TL squad, he won his first BLAST event at BLAST Pro Series Los Angeles 2019, also having finished second multiple times.
Keith Markovic
Keith “NAF” Markovic (born November 24, 1997) is a Canadian professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player who currently plays for Team Liquid. Prior to playing on Team Liquid, where he joined early 2018, NAF had played on other NA squads such as OpTic Gaming and Renegades. NAF has been an active professional Counter-Strike player since 2013.
Together with the rest of Team Liquid squad, he won his first BLAST event at BLAST Pro Series Los Angeles 2019.
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Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis welcome a baby boy - find out his adorable name!
By Gemma Strong
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have added to their family once again! The couple gave their two-year-old daughter Wyatt Isabelle a baby brother as they welcomed their second child on Wednesday (Nov. 30), their representative has announced.
On Friday, the couple shared their son's name on A Plus, a media site founded by the now father of two. "Dimitri Portwood Kutcher was born at 1:21 a.m. on November 30, weighing 8 pounds and 15 ounces," reads a news story.
A spokesperson for Ashton, 38, and 33-year-old Mila, who married in July last year, confirmed the news of the actress' second pregnancy to HELLO! Online back in June. And just a few months later, in October, Ashton let slip the sex of their second child.
TAP TO VIEW GALLERY
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have welcomed their second child together, a baby boy.
"It's really exciting," the star told host Savannah Guthrie during an appearance on the Today show. "She, like, points to Mila and she's like 'baby brother' when she points to the belly and then she points to Dad and she goes 'beer.’ So I think she gets there's something in the belly, but I don't quite think she knows that it's not going to be a plastic doll yet."
Both Ashton and Mila have been vocal about the love of parenthood ever since they welcomed little Wyatt in October 2014. "You think you know how much you love another person, and then you have a child and you realise you didn't know," Ashton previously told Ellen DeGeneres. "I think I really look at this as the greatest opportunity of my life."
The couple have made no secret of their desire to expand their family
He continued: "But the most amazing thing about having a baby is my partner, Mila. She's the greatest mum — I can't even! Like, I go to work every day and I come home and she's perfect."
Mila, meanwhile, hasn't ruled out the possibility of baby number three! "I think you know when your family is complete," she told Ryan Seacrest in July. "After we had Wyatt, the second that I gave birth, I was like, 'I know that we need to have another baby.' We both knew it, we just felt it. And so I always say after the second one, we'll know if we need to have another one. I really do believe you know when your family is complete."
Mila Kunis shows off growing baby bump on sporty date with Ashton Kutcher
Mila Kunis reveals the surprising price and place she bought her wedding bands
Mila Kunis stunned in red-carpet maternity look for 'Bad Moms' premiere
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Supplies & Materials
Grades and Expectations
LA -- Writing
Planner LA 7
Silverhawk Novel Writers Club
Novel Writers Calendar
Phone: Phone: 951-294-6600 X 3705 (Email is the best way to contact me. Please allow 48 hours response time.)
Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature and minor in Philosophy and Religion from San Francisco State University Masters of Arts in Education from Graceland University CLAD/ELL certified Single Subject Credential in English from San Francisco State University
Mr. Vergon
Welcome to Language Arts! I am very excited to work with all of you this school year. While I have been described as a fun, passionate, and engaging teacher, I also have high expectations. As long as you are willing to work hard, take responsibility for your own actions, be respectful of other students and adults around campus, and practice safety--everyone will feel successful and it will be an exciting school year.
In this class, you will practice a deeper critical thinking approach to reading, vocabulary, writing, and language. You will read and annotate informational articles and analyze texts for a central idea based on textual evidence of non-fiction and fiction. Readings will include classic/contemporary pieces that represent diverse perspectives. We will read short stories, poetry, and nonfiction articles found in the StudySync online learning platform as well as other articles from Newsela; and novels such as Call of the Wild, The Giver, The Outsiders, and The Hunger Games. Concurrent with our in-class readings, students will also have an independent reading book for Intervention/Enrichment class. Developing literacy skills, meaning reading a wide variety of texts from informational articles to poetry, is super important to developing into self-actualized human beings. Students should be engaged in reading at least 20 minutes per day.
Besides responding to text questions, creating questions, and writing reflectively, students will also continue to write arguments, arguments that must be supported with evidence from primary and secondary sources. In middle school, there is a strong emphasis on supporting claims. Whether spoken verbally or written, when making a claim, a good detective must provide evidence in order to prove a claim. Students will also practice collaborating with peers in pairs, small groups, and whole-class discussions.
My goal is to get students thinking and writing critically about our readings while making personal connections to their lives and to their perception of the world as it unfolds before them every day.
Email: pvergon@tvusd.us ( Please allow 48 hours response time.)
Phone: 951-294-6600 X 3705 (Email is the best way to contact me. Please allow 48 hours response time.)
Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature and minor in Philosophy and Religion from San Francisco State University
Masters of Arts in Education from Graceland University
CLAD/ELL certified
Single Subject Credential in English from San Francisco State University
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The Lord giveth, and the Lord ' taketh away ; blessed be the name of the Lord.
The Works ... - Seite 20
von William Smith - 1803
Saving Truths
John Cumming - 1856
...evidence, again, of communion with and confidence in God, is when one can say, "It is the Lord ; the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away ; blessed be the name of the Lord." Another proof of departure from God is, less confidence in him. Tou begin to think of God,...
Recreations of Christopher North
John Wilson - 1857
...graves ? Think not that they, who were Christians indeed, could be guilty of such ingratitude. " The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away — blessed be the name of the Lord ! " were the first words they had spoke by that bedside ; during many, many long years of...
The works of professor Wilson, ed. by prof. Ferrier, Band 9
...graves ? Think not that . they, who were Christians indeed, could be guilty of such ingratitude. " The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away — blessed be the name of the Lord!" were the first words they had spoke by that bedside ; during many, many long years of weal...
The Works of Professor Wilson of the University of Edinburgh: Recreations of ...
...graves? Think not that they, who were Christians indeed, could be guilty of such ingratitude. " The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away — blessed be the name of the Lord ! " were the first words they had spoke by that bedside ; during many, many long years of...
Sartor Resartus (1831): Lectures on Heroes (1840)
Thomas Carlyle - 1858 - 391 Seiten
...he answers is, in his own dialect, everyway sincere, and yet equivalent to that of Christians, ' The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away ; blessed be the name of the Lord.' He answered in like manner of Seid, his emancipated well -beloved Slave, the second of the...
Crossing the Chalk Line
Steven H. Richardson - 1999 - 262 Seiten
...herself what she always considered the toughest verse in the Bible. It came from the book of Job, For the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord. She drew strength from the blessed name of the Lord while she served Fred's refreshments...
The Weariness, the Fever, and the Fret: The Campaign Against Tuberculosis in ...
Katherine McCuaig - 1999 - 384 Seiten
...any church burial service today, and you will hear the officiating parson read from the service: 'The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, Blessed be the name of the Lord.' In the light of modern knowledge, can you conceive of anything more libellous on the Almighty?...
Civil War as a Crisis in Gender: Augusta, Georgia, 1860-1890
LeeAnn Whites - 2000 - 288 Seiten
...had no power to change. As Gertrude Clanton Thomas recorded upon the death of her first infant, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." In her next sentence, however, she burst forth, "But oh it is hard. Nature rebels and turns...
Readings in Orientalism, Band 1
Bryan S. Turner - 2000 - 592 Seiten
...he answers is, in his own dialect, everyway sincere, and yet equivalent to that of Christians, 'The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' He answered in like manner of Seid, his emancipated well-beloved Slave, the second of the...
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By John Henry Newman
municated him; fifthly, in the reign of the Catholic Jovian, he signed the Homoüsion or symbol of Nicæa.
George, of Laodicæa, another of the leading members of the Eusebian party, was originally a presbyter of the Alexandrian Church, and deposed by Alexander for the assistance afforded by him to Arius at Nicomedia. · At the end of the reign of Constantius, he professed for a while the sentiments of the Semi-Arians; whether seriously or not, we have not the means of deciding, although the character given of him by Athanasius, who is generally candid in his judgments, is unfavourable to his sincerity. Certainly he deserted the SemiArians in no long time, and died an Anomean. He is also accused of open and habitual irregularities of life.
Leontius, the most crafty of his party, was promoted by the Arians to the see of Antioch *; and though a pupil of the school of Lucian, and consistently attached to the opinions of Arius throughout his life, he seems to have conducted himself in his high position with moderation and good temper. The Catholic party was at that time still strong in the city, particularly among the laity; the crimes of Stephen and Placillus, his immediate Arian predecessors, had brought discredit on the heretical cause; and the theological opinions of Constantius, who was attached to the Semi-Arian doctrine, rendered it dangerous to avow the plain blasphemies of the first founder of their creed. Accordingly, with the view of seducing the Catholics to his own communion,
• A strange and scandalous transaction in early life, gave him appellation of & årókotOS. Athan. ad Monach. 4.
he was anxious to profess an agreement with the Church, even where he held an opposite opinion; and we are told that in the public doxology, which was practically the test of faith, not even the nearest to him in the congregation could hear from him more than the words “for ever and ever," with which it concludes. It was apparently with the same design, that he converted the almshouses of the city, destined for the reception of strangers, into seminaries for propagating the Christian faith; and published a panegyrical account of St. Babylas, when his body was to be removed to Daphne, by way of consecrating a place which had been before devoted to sensual excesses. In the meanwhile, he gradually weakened the Church, by a systematic promotion of heretical, and a discountenance of the orthodox Clergy; one of his most scandalous acts being his ordination of Aetius, the founder of the Anomeans, who was afterwards promoted to the episcopacy in the reign of Julian.
Eudoxius, the successor of Leontius, in the see of Antioch, was his fellow-pupil in the school of Lucian. He is said to have been converted to Semi-Arianism by the writings of the Sophist Asterius; but he afterwards joined the Anomoeans, and got possession of the patriarchate of Constantinople. It was there, at the dedication of the cathedral of St. Sophia, that he uttered the wanton impiety, which has characterized him with a distinctness, which supersedes all historical notice of his conduct, or discussion of his religious opinions. “When Eudoxius,” says Socrates, “ had taken his seat on the episcopal throne, his first words were these celebrated ones, 'the Father is ảoeßns, irreligious; the Son evoeßrs, religious. When a noise and confusion ensued, he added, “Be not distressed at what I say; for the Father is irreligious, as worshipping none; but the Son is religious towards the Father. On this the tumult ceased, and in its place an intemperate laughter seized the congregation ; and it remains as a good saying even to this time.”
Valens, Bishop of Mursa, in Pannonia, shall close this list of Eusebian Prelates. He was one of the immediate disciples of Arius; and, from an early age, the champion of his heresy in the Latin Church. In the conduct of the controversy, he inherited more of the plain dealing as well as of the principles of his master, than his associates; he was an open advocate of the Anomcan doctrine, and by his personal influence with Constantius balanced the power of the Semi-Arian party, derived from the Emperor's private attachment to their doctrine. The favour of Constantius was gained by a fortunate artifice, at the time the latter was directing his arms against the tyrant Magnentius. “ While the two armies were engaged in the plains of Mursa,” says Gibbon, “and the fate of the two rivals depended on the chance of war, the son of Constantine passed the anxious moments in a church of the martyrs, under the walls of the city. His spiritual comforter Valens, the Arian Bishop of the diocese, employed the most artful precautions to obtain such early intelligence, as might secure either his favour or his escape. A secret chain of swift and trusty messengers informed him of the vicissitudes of the battle; and while the courtiers stood trembling around their affrighted master, Valens assured him that the Gallic legions gave way; and insinuated, with some presence of mind, that the glorious event had been revealed to him by an Angel. The grateful Emperor ascribed his success to the merits and intercession of the Bishop of Mursa, whose faith had deserved the public and miraculous approbation of Heaven."
5 Socr. Hist. ii. 43. [Evo épea, åo élela, dvouébera, and their derivatives, in the language of Athanasius or his age, means orthodoxy, heteredoxy, orthodox, &c. This circumstance gives its point to the jest. This sense is traceable to St. Paul's words, “ Great is the mystery of godliness (evoeBelas),” orthodoxy. Vide Athan. Opp. passim. Thus Arius also ends his letter to Eusebius with “årnows euo éßie.” And St. Basil, defending his own freedom from Arian error, says that St. Macrina, his grandmother, “ moulded him from his infancy in the dogmas of religion (evoeBelas),” and that, when he grew up, and travelled, he ever chose those for his fathers and guides, whom he found walking according to “the rule of religion (evoegelas) handed down." Ep. 204. 6. Vide also, Basil. Opp. t. 2, p. 599. Greg. Naz. Orat. ii. 80. Euseb. cont. Marc. i. 7. Joan. Antioch. apud Facund. i. 1. Sozomen, i. 20. as supr. note p. 140.]
Such were the leaders of the Eusebian or Court faction; and on the review of them, do we not seem to see in each a fresh exhibition of their great type and forerunner, Paulus, on one side or other of his character, though surpassing him in extravagance of conduct, as possessing a wider field, and more powerful incentives for ambitious and energetic exertion ? We see the same accommodation of the Christian Creed to the humour of an earthly Sovereign, the same fertility of disputation in support of their version of it, the same reckless profanation of things sacred, the same patient dissemina
Gibbon, Hist. ch. xxi.
tion of error for the services of the age after them; and, if they are free from the personal immoralities of their master, they balance this favourable trait of character by the cruel and hard-hearted temper, which discovers itself in their persecution of the Catholics.
This persecution was conducted till the middle of the century according to the outward forms of ecclesiastical law. Charges of various kinds were preferred in Council against the orthodox prelates of the principal sees, with a profession at least of regularity, whatever unfairness there might be in the details of the proceedings. By this means all the most powerful Churches of Eastern Christendom, by the commencement of the reign of Constantius (A.D. 337), had been brought under the influence of the Arians; Constantinople, Heraclea, Hadrianople, Ephesus, Ancyra, both Cæsareas, Antioch, Laodicea, and Alexandria. Eustathius of Antioch, for instance, had incurred their hatred, by his strenuous resistance to the heresy in the seat of its first origin. After the example of his immediate predecessor Philogonius, he refused communion to Stephen, Leontius, Eudoxius, George, and others; and accused Eusebius of Cæsarea openly of having violated the faith of Nicæa. The heads of the party assembled in Council at Antioch ; and, on charges of heresy and immorality, which they professed to be satisfactorily maintained, pronounced sentence of deposition against him. Constantine banished him to Philippi, together with a considerable number of the priests and deacons of his Church. So again, Mar
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Paley's Moral Philosophy: With Annotations
By William Paley, Richard Whately
The several contrivances to evade this oath, such as the electors accepting money under colour of borrowing it, and giving a promissory note, or other security, for it, which is cancelled after the election ; receiving money from a stranger, or a person in disguise, or out of a drawer, or purse, left open for the purpose; or promises of money to be paid after the election; or stipulating for a Place, Living, or other private advantage of any kind ; if they escape the legal penalties of perjury, incur the moral guilt; for they are manifestly within the mischief and design of the statute which imposes the oath, and within the terms indeed of the oath itself; for the word 'indirectly' is inserted on purpose to comprehend such cases as these.
OATH AGAINST SIMONY.
TROM an imaginary resemblance between the purchase of a
T benefice, and Simon Magus's attempt to purchase the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts viii. 19), the obtaining of ecclesiastical preferment by pecuniary considerations has been termed Simony.
The sale of advowsons is inseparable from the allowance of private patronage; as patronage would otherwise devolve to the most indigent, and for that reason the most improper hands it could be placed in. Nor did the law ever intend to prohibit the passing of advowsons from one patron to another; but to restrain the patron, who possesses the right of presenting at the vacancy, from being influenced, in the choice of his presentee, by a bribe, or benefit to himself. It is the same distinction with that which obtains in a freeholder's vote for his representative in Parliament. The right of voting, that is, the freehold to which the right pertains, may be bought and sold as freely as any other property; but the exercise of that right, the vote itself, may not be purchased, or influenced by money.
For this purpose, the law imposes upon the presentee, who is generally concerned in the simony, if there be any, the following oath: ‘I do swear that I have made no simoniacal payment, contract, or promise, directly or indirectly, by myself, or by any other to my knowledge, or with my consent, to any person or persons whatsoever, for or concerning the procuring and obtaining of this ecclesiastical place, &c.; vor will, at any time hereafter, perform, or satisfy, any such kind of payment, contract, or promise, made by any other without my knowledge or consent: So help me, God, through Jesus Christ !
It is extraordinary that Bishop Gibson should have thought this oath to be against all promises whatsoever, when the terms of the oath expressly restrain it to simoniacal promises; and the law alone must pronounce what promises, as well as what payments and contracts, are simoniacal, and consequently come within the oath ; and what do not so.
Now the law adjudges to be simony,
1. All payments, contracts, or promises, made by any person for a benefice already vacant. The advowson of a void turn by law, cannot be transferred from one patron to another; therefore, if the void turn be procured by money, it must be by a pecuniary influence upon the then subsisting patron in the choice of his presentee, which is the very practice the law condemns.
2. A clergyman's purchasing of the next turn of a benefice for himself, directly or indirectly,' that is, by himself, or by another person with his money. It does not appear that the law prohibits a clergyman from purchasing the perpetuity of a patronage, more than any other person: but purchasing the perpetuity, and forth with selling it again with a reservation of the next turn, and with no other design than to possess himself of the next turn, is in fraudem legis, and inconsistent with the oath.
3. The procuring of a piece of preferment, by ceding to the patron any rights, or probable rights, belonging to it. This is simony of the worst kind; for it is not only buying preferment, but robbing the succession to pay for it.
4. Promises to the patron of a portion of the profit, of a remission of tithes and dues, or other advantage out of the produce of the benefice ; which kind of compact is a pernicious condescension in the clergy, independent of the oath ; for it tends to introduce a practice, which may very soon become general, of giving the revenue of churches to the lay patrons, and supplying the duty by indigent stipendiaries.
5. General bonds of resignation, that is, bonds to resign upon demand.
I doubt not but that the oath against simony is binding upon the consciences of those who take it, though I question much the expediency of requiring it. It is very fit to debar public patrons, such as the king, the lord chancellor, bishops, ecclesiastical corporations, and the like, from this kind of traffic : because from them may be expected some regard to the qualifications of the persons whom they promote. But the oath lays a snare for the integrity of the clergy ; and I do not perceive, that the requiring of it in cases of private patronage produces any good effect, sufficient to compensate for this danger.
Where advowsons are holden along with manors, or other principal estates, it would be an easy regulation to forbid that they should ever hereafter be separated ; and would, at least, keep church preferment out of the hands of brokers.
ANNOTATION. 'I question much the expediency of requiring iť [the oath against
simony]. If in this matter, and also in several others, a distinct statement were published of what it is that the law requires or forbids, and of the penalty against infringement, this would be as good a security as is attainable, and far preferable to the multiplication of Oaths.
But in the case of Simony, perhaps a relaxation of the law is in one point desirable. If A has a living of 400l. per annum in the midst of the friends and connexions of B, who has a living of 500l. or cool., in the midst of A's friends, they would be glad to exchange, if they could be allowed to make an arrangement such that neither should gain or lose in income. This surely ought to be allowed, under the consent and approbation of their respective Patrons and Bishops.
If it be said that this might lead to abuses, if the parties were unscrupulous, one might answer that those same parties would evade the present law.
CHAPTER XXI.
OATHS TO OBSERVE LOCAL STATUTES.
M EMBERS of Colleges in the Universities, and of other 11 ancient foundations, are required to swear to the observance of their respective statutes; which observance is become in some cases unlawful, in others impracticable, in others useless, in others inconvenient.
Unlawful directions are countermanded by the authority which made them unlawful.
Impracticable directions are dispensed with by the necessity of the case.
The only question is, how far the members of these societies may take upon themselves to judge of the inconveniency of any particular direction, and make that a reason for laying aside the observance of it.
The animus imponentis, which is the measure of the juror's duty, seems to be satisfied, when nothing is omitted, but what, from some change in the circumstances under which it was prescribed, it may fairly be presumed that the founder himself would have dispensed with.
To bring a case within this rule, the inconveniency must1. Be manifest; concerning which there is no doubt.
2. It must arise from some change in the circumstances of the institution : for, let the inconveniency be what it will, if it existed at the time of the foundation, it must be presumed that the founder did not deem the avoiding of it of sufficient importance to alter his plan.
3. The direction of the statute must not only be inconvenient in the general (for so may the institution itself be), but prejudicial to the particular end proposed by the institution : for, it is this last circumstance which proves that the founder would have dispensed with it in pursuance of his own purpose.
The statutes of some colleges forbid the speaking of any language but Latin, within the walls of the college ; direct that a certain number, and not fewer than that number, be allowed the use of an apartment amongst them; that so many hours of each day be employed in public exercises, lectures, or disputations ; and some other articles of discipline adapted to the tender years
of the students who in former times resorted to universities. Were colleges to retain such rules, nobody now-a-days would come near them. They are laid aside, therefore, though parts of the statutes, and as such included within the oath, not merely because they are inconvenient, but because there is sufficient reason to believe that the founders themselves would have dispensed with them, as subversive of their own designs.
ANNOTATION.
Members of Colleges .... are required to swear to the
observance of their Statutes.' Many such oaths as are here treated of are now abolished. They are a snare to the conscience, and do much harm in many ways, and effect no good purpose that might not be better effected in other modes.
CHAPTER XXII.
SUBSCRIPTION TO ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
CUBSCRIPTION to articles of religion, though no more than D a declaration of the subscriber's assent, may properly enough be considered in connexion with the subject of oaths, because it is governed by the same rule of interpretation :
Which rule is the animus imponentis.
The inquiry, therefore, concerning subscription will be, quis imposuit, et quo animo ?
The bishop who receives the subscription, is not the imposer, any more than the crier of a court, who administers the oath to the jury and witnesses, is the person that imposes it; nor, consequently, is the private opinion or interpretation of the bishop of any signification to the subscriber, one way or other.
The compilers of the Thirty-nine Articles are not to be considered as the imposers of subscription, any more than the frarner or drawer up of a law is the person that enacts it.
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Art Horn
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Serving Alcohol at City or County Events: What are the Rules?
Michael Crowell
This entry was posted on July 24th, 2012 and is filed under Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC), General Local Government (Miscellaneous).
Every now and then a city or county wants to serve beer and wine, or maybe even mixed drinks, at an official event. It might be a retirement party in the council chambers or perhaps a reception for a new citizens committee or a visit by a delegation from a sister city. Sometimes someone else, say a local business group, is using city or county space for its own meeting and wants to make beer and wine available to the participants. Is there any prohibition on alcohol use on city or county property?
The answer is no. There is no prohibition, and for the most part it is okay have alcohol at city or county events, and on city and county property. But exactly what you can do depends on the kind of alcohol. The answers are simpler for beer and wine than for hard liquor.
Key differences in the rules: hard liquor vs. beer and wine; sale vs. possession
The general rule to remember is that in North Carolina it is okay to possess, serve and consume beer and wine anywhere and anytime unless there is a statute specifically prohibiting it. For spirituous liquor — the bourbon and gin and vodka that goes in mixed drinks — the rule is just the opposite. Hard liquor may be possessed, served and consumed only where the law specifically says it is allowed.
Notice that both of those statements are about possessing, serving and consuming alcohol, not about sales. No alcohol of any kind may be sold anywhere in the state unless the sale of that kind of alcohol is lawful in that city or county and the seller has the proper permit from the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission.
Now, to the specifics about local government events and property.
Serving beer and wine
There is nothing in the ABC law, Chapter 18B of the General Statutes, that prohibits the possession, service or consumption of beer and wine on city or county property. Thus, under state law a city or county may serve — but not sell — beer and wine at its own events on its own property, or may allow others who are using the property to do so. The one hitch is that under G.S. 18B-300(a) a city or county by ordinance may prohibit possession of beer and wine on city or county property. If your local government has such an ordinance, then, depending on the wording, it could keep the city or county from having alcohol at its own events.
Selling beer and wine
Selling beer or wine is a different subject. First, the sale of beer and wine would have to have been approved in a local referendum for the city or county to even think of getting into that business. Second, the facility in which the sales are to be made would have to be a kind of establishment that qualifyies for a permit under G.S. 18B-1001(1) or (3). Cities and counties generally do not operate restaurants and hotels, but they may have cafes or snack bars at local parks and those kinds of places can get permits. A city or county also may have a convention center or community theater that is eligible for a permit. And some local governments own and operate ball parks which would qualify as retail businesses for beer and wine permits.
Even without regular ABC permits to sell beer and wine there is a circumstance when the city or county can use alcohol to make money on a one-time basis. Under G.S. 18B-1002(a)(5) a one-time permit may be issued to a local government to serve beer, wine and even mixed drinks at a ticketed fundraising event. Let’s say a county wanted to raise money for a new county historical museum and decided to have an auction. The county could sell tickets to that fundraiser and with the one-time permit from the ABC Commission could serve beer, wine, and mixed drinks to the people who attended. It’s not a direct sale of alcohol, but the local government profits from the tickets.
Except for that ticketed fundraiser, a city or county’s ability to serve mixed drinks is limited by the rule mentioned earlier, that spirituous liquor may be possessed and consumed only where specifically authorized by law. A city or county can get in the business of selling mixed drinks only if liquor by the drink has been approved for the community and the local government operates a facility that qualifies for a mixed drink permit. The kinds of places that can get mixed drink permits are more limited than for beer and wine, but convention centers and community theaters qualify. And if a city or county operates a 36-seat restaurant it is eligible for a mixed drink permit. As with other ABC permits, the mixed drink permit comes with a diagram of the approved premises, and sales are lawful only within that area. Thus, if a city operates a convention center and has beer, wine, and mixed drink permits, those permits will define the part of the building where sales are allowed and it still will be unlawful to sell elsewhere in the building.
Renting space and special occasion permits
What about allowing others to have alcohol on city or county property? Because the possession, service and consumption of beer and wine on local government property is lawful and does not require a permit, a city or county can allow anyone using its space to serve beer and wine, or can tell them they cannot do it.
There also is a means to allow others to serve — not sell — mixed drinks on city or county property. Say a citizen wants to use a large room in a city or county building for a wedding reception, or a local nonprofit wants to hold a raffle there, or a company wants to have a board meeting with a catered dinner. With the permission of the local government property owner, that person or organization could apply for and get a limited special occasion permit from the ABC Commission under G.S. 18B-1001(9). Such a permit authorizes them to bring spirituous liquor to that location for that event and serve it to the guests or participants.
There is another variation of the special occasion permit in G.S. 18B-1001(8). Using that subsection of the statute, the city or county itself could get a special occasion permit for a qualifying facility (say a restaurant or other eating establishment, or a convention center) owned by the local government and then it could allow the person renting space at that facility for a particular event to bring in spirituous liquor to serve to guests.
If a city or county wants to serve beer or wine at one of its functions, or wants to allow others using government space to do so, it usually is lawful and requires no ABC permit. Selling beer and wine, on the other hand, always depends on a permit, as does both serving and selling mixed drinks. And the number and kind of local government facilities that might be eligible for such permits is limited, especially for mixed drinks.
What Didn’t Happen
Closed Session Minutes and General Accounts Under the Public Records Law
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A New Don
India’s relationship with the United States enters an era of uncertainty
Sumit Ganguly
Trump’s promise to clamp down on the H1-B visa programme has raised significant concerns in the Indian IT industry.
julie dermansky / corbis / getty images
Over the past two decades, relations between India and the United States have improved quite dramatically. There have been some vicissitudes, such as those over India’s stance on global trade negotiations and legal issues surrounding the US-India civilian nuclear agreement. But the progress is clear by most measures, such as the volume of trade—while the two countries traded goods worth $9.5 billion in 1996, last year that figure stood at $62.1 billion. Various intergovernmental dialogues, in areas such as education, energy and counterterrorism, also point to the fact that the relationship is now on reasonably secure footing. Donald Trump’s assumption of the US presidency, however, has generated several questions, if not actual misgivings, about the future of these ties.
Even before formally assuming office, Trump upended a series of long-established precedents that have served as guiding principles in US foreign policy. For example, he openly questioned the US commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, raised doubts about the country’s adherence to the “One China” policy, suggested that he may oversee a drastic expansion of the US nuclear arsenal and even cast doubts on the utility of the United Nations Security Council in the wake of a controversial vote on Israeli settlements. These statements and the stances they embody have rattled much of the US foreign policy establishment, not to mention key allies and some adversaries.
Given Trump’s apparent willingness to move away from a number of key current facets of US foreign policy, a pressing question is how he intends to deal with India. But since he has yet to spell out an overarching framework for his foreign policy, in seeking answers, one is forced to search his public pronouncements for clues.
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Sumit Ganguly Sumit Ganguly, a professor of political science, holds the Rabindranath Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilizations at Indiana University, Bloomington.
Keywords: china India USA America White House foreign policy Donald Trump United States of America Trump India-US relations
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Chief, Department of Critical Care Medicine
The Department of Critical Care Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children is internationally recognized for its contributions to advancing clinical care, scholarship and education in pediatric critical care. We are inviting applications for Department Chief, Critical Care Medicine (a full-time position) with a negotiable start date in Spring/Summer 2021. The department comprises the Division of Pediatric Critical Care and the Division of Cardiac Critical Care, each with division Heads who report directly to the Department Chief.
The department is proud of its well-deserved international standing and recognition based on excellence in delivering high quality and safe critical care, leading innovative research and training the next generations of critical care physicians from across the world. It is expected that the successful Department Chief will continue, promote and have a vision for continuing to build upon these areas of excellence.
The intensive care unit currently has 42 beds with both Pediatric and Cardiac critical divisions being co-located in the same geographical area. The unit receives over 2200 admissions per year and provides all critical care services as expected for a quaternary academic department, including an experienced and well-structured extracorporeal life support program and all modes of mechanical ventilation. The department depends on the close collaboration and leadership from nursing staff, respiratory therapists and interprofessional staff. The Department Chief is expected to work closely with clinical leaders across the Department to ensure the highest quality and safest care within a culture of community, collegiality and transparency. Reporting to the Chief of Perioperative Services, the responsibilities of the Department Chief include providing leadership to the Department of Critical Care Medicine, ensuring the highest quality of paediatric care and multidisciplinary services to patients within Ontario, across Canada and other countries. The Chief should promote the individual research interests of faculty and also take initiative to drive a collective endeavour such as prospective outcomes research. Ensuring top quality education for clinical fellows and residents together with faculty coordinators is essential.
The successful candidate will be expected to continue to build upon a culture of quality and safety. The Department Chief will be responsible for overseeing the intramural critical care rapid response team and extramural relationships with the Provincial CritiCall Ontario consult, advice and transfer system. Leadership responsibilities at SickKids will include leadership of the Critical Care Advisory and Executive Committees, and membership on the Perioperative Services Steering Committee, Medical Advisory Committee and the Quality Improvement Committee. External to the Department, the Chief will sit on the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Pediatric Critical Care Advisory Committee, and the Executive Steering Committee of the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, at the University of Toronto. In these roles, the Chief of the Department will have important leadership and advocacy responsibilities shaping critical care across SickKids. Demonstrated clinical excellence will be critical as is the expectation that the successful candidate will also provide direct clinical care.
We are seeking an individual whose leadership qualifications include a long-term vision for the Department, management proficiency, communications expertise, mentoring capabilities, the ability to engender trust, act collaboratively and integrate Departmental activities aligned to the mission of the Department of Perioperative Services and the SickKids organization. During the current and future period of infrastructure redevelopment, the Chief role will be responsible for advocacy and guidance with Hospital leadership on behalf of the paediatric population.
Candidates must be able to function proficiently in English and hold an M.D. or equivalent degree and must be eligible for certification with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Candidates must obtain an appropriate visa if applicable. Candidates must also be eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate, or Full Professor at the University of Toronto.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with multi-disciplinary, clinical and basic science facilities that are available on the Hospital campus, including the 21-storey Research Institute, the MaRS Discovery District and the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Toronto.
SickKids, located at 555 University Avenue in downtown Toronto, is among the largest children’s hospitals in North America and has a long history of excellence in clinical care, research and education. SickKids is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and is located adjacent to the University campus and to numerous specialty hospitals and biomedical research institutes. It is an exciting time at SickKids as we execute our campus redevelopment project, including a new state-of-the- art acute care hospital tower.
Commensurate with qualifications and experience, we are offering a compensation package that is competitive within North America. The package combines base compensation funded through the Alternate Funding Plan arrangement with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MoHLTC) with additional partial fee-for-service funds. This arrangement values academic contributions and protected time for research, along with support for relocation expenses. A per annum stipend, in recognition of the administrative leadership responsibilities associated with the Chief Head role, will also be provided. The position has the potential duration of two terms of five years each. Toronto is a vibrant and multicultural city. It is currently the fourth largest city in North America and boasts a safe, livable, downtown area with excellent housing, schools and university access. World famous lake and wilderness country and year-round outdoor recreation are easily accessible, as are two hub airports for regional or international travel.
The children and families we care for are diverse, and so are our employees. All are welcome to join our unique organizational culture and be part of our inclusive team. The University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children are strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized person, persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disability, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas.
Interested applicants should email their CV and Letter of Interest (which will include the names and contact information for 3 Referees), preferably in PDF format, to the Chair, Critical Care Medicine Department Search Committee at ccudepartmentchief.recruitment@sickkids.ca by the close of the search on February 28, 2021. For more information about the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Toronto, please visit us at https://www.criticalcare.utoronto.ca/. For more information on the Research Institute please visit us at http://www.sickkids.ca/Research/index.html All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority.
Internal Number: ChiefCCM
About The Hospital for Sick Children
Connections working at The Hospital for Sick Children
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Nurse Navigator
Oncology Clinic
St Josephs Hospital and Medical Center
Mon - Fri 8:00am-4:30pm
AZ-PHOENIX
Located conveniently in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center is a 571-bed, not-for-profit hospital that provides a wide range of health, social and support services. Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of Mercy, St. Joseph's was the first hospital in the Phoenix area. More than 125 years later, St. Joseph's remains dedicated to its mission of caring for the poor and underserved.
We are extremely proud to be a nationally recognized center for quality quaternary care, medical education and research. St. Joseph's includes the internationally renowned Barrow Neurological Institute, Norton Thoracic Institute, Cancer Center at St. Joseph's, Ivy Brain Tumor Center, and St. Joseph's Level I Trauma Center (which is verified by the American College of Surgeons). The hospital is also a respected center for high-risk obstetrics, neuro-rehabilitation, orthopedics, and other medical services. St. Joseph’s is considered a sought-after destination hospital for treating the most complex cases from throughout the world. Every day, approximately 20 percent of the hospital’s patients have traveled from outside of Arizona and the United States to seek treatment at St. Joseph’s.
U.S News & World Report routinely ranks St. Joseph's among the top hospitals in the United States for neurology and neurosurgery. In addition, St. Joseph's boasts the Creighton University School of Medicine at St. Joseph's, and a strategic alliance with Phoenix Children's Hospital.
St. Joseph's is consistently named an outstanding place to work and one of Arizona's healthiest employers. Come grow your career with one of Arizona's Most Admired Companies.
Look for us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
For the health of our community ... we are proud to be a tobacco-free campus.
SUMMARY - The Nurse Navigator is assigned to a population of patients and provides individualized and comprehensive care to reduce barriers, coordinate diagnostic and treatment efforts and ensure prompt access to care. Applying the nursing process, the Nurse Navigator performs clinical assessments; education on disease process, plan of care and treatment modalities; and symptom management to support patients through the complexity of their care continuum. The Nurse Navigator collaborates and communicates effectively with the multidisciplinary team to effectively coordinate patient care, ensure continuity of care and create a comfortable and exceptional patient experience. The Nurse Navigator initiates referrals to appropriate inter-disciplinary teams for physical, psycho-social and spiritual support through all stages of the continuum of care.
3 years of experience as a RN in an inpatient or outpatient setting
Completion of accredited RN program and Clinical Experience
Computer skills, EMR documentation, Word, Excel, Record/Verify system, work experience: patient education/interventions, symptom management
AZ RN license or compact state
American Heart Association BLS and obtain appropriate Certification within 3 years of hire date
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1.800.FOLK.SCH (365.5724)
HOMECONCERTS, DANCES, AND EVENTS VIEW eCATALOG FIND A CLASS
| LODGING & MEALS
Jerri Fifer
Jerri opened the Frog & Owl Cafe in Highlands, NC, in 1971, introducing the area to elegant French cuisine. Her talent gained national recognition as her recipes were printed in "Gourmet," "Bon Appétit," "Tasteful Tastings," "Southern Living," and the "New York Times." In 1992, Jerri became one of the top 25 women chefs in the U.S. with a Five Star Sensation designation. Her next venture, which she ran for many years, was the acclaimed Jer's Kitchen in Franklin, NC. In 2015, she sold the restaurant and joined On the Verandah in Highlands, NC, where she enjoys focusing on fine food.
Send Jerri an email
UPCOMING CLASSES INSTRUCTED BY Jerri:
Jerri Fifer Bistro Cooking - Parisian Home-style Cuisine Sunday, May 30 - Saturday, June 5, 2021
Need help? Please call us at 1-800-FOLK-SCH or email us.
1-800.FOLK.SCH (365.5724)
828.837.2775 • (fax) 828.837.8637
John C. Campbell Folk School
One Folk School Road
Brasstown, NC 28902
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST
Craft Shop and History Center Hours:
Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST
Thurs. open until 6 p.m.
Sun. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. EST
John C. Campbell Folk School is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
© John C. Campbell Folk School
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KJ21
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near.
AMPC
Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who reads aloud [in the assemblies] the word of this prophecy; and blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who hear [it read] and who keep themselves true to the things which are written in it [heeding them and laying them to heart], for the time [for them to be fulfilled] is near.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near.
Favored is the one who reads the words of this prophecy out loud, and favored are those who listen to it being read, and keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
CJB
Blessed are the reader and hearers of the words of this prophecy, provided they obey the things written in it! For the time is near!
God will bless everyone who reads this prophecy to others, and he will bless everyone who hears and obeys it. The time is almost here.
Blessed [is] he that reads, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things written in it; for the time [is] near.
DLNT
Blessed is the one reading, and the ones hearing the words of this prophecy and keeping the things having been written in it, for the time is near.
Blessed is he, that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy; and keepeth those things which are written in it; for the time is at hand.
Great blessings belong to the person who reads the words of this message from God and to those who hear this message and do what is written in it. There is not much time left.
EHV
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and hold on to the things written in it, because the time is near.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
ESVUK
EXB
·Blessed [Happy] is the one who reads the words of ·God’s message [L the prophecy], and ·blessed [happy] are the people who hear this message and ·do [keep; obey] what is written in it [C the context envisioned is a leader reading to a congregation]. ·The time is near when all of this will happen [L For the time is near].
Blessed is the one who reads, as well as those who hear the words of this prophecy and pay attention to what is written in it because the time is near.
Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all these things will happen.
The one who reads this is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!
The one who reads the words of God’s message is happy. And the people who hear this message and do what is written in it are happy. The time is near when all of this will happen.
How blessed is the one who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy and obey what is written in it, for the time is near!
Happy is the man who reads this prophecy and happy are those who hear it read and pay attention to its message; for the time is near.
¶ Blessed is he that reads and those that hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand.
AKJV
Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who hear the words of the prophecy and observe the things written in it, because the time is near!
If you read this prophecy aloud to the church, you will receive a special blessing from the Lord. Those who listen to it being read and do what it says will also be blessed. For the time is near when these things will all come true.
How blessed the reader! How blessed the hearers and keepers of these oracle words, all the words written in this book! Time is just about up.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it, for the time is near.
MOUNCE
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and those who hear and keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
NABRE
Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.
Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
NASB1995
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Blessed is the one who reads the words of God’s message, and blessed are the people who hear this message and do what is written in it. The time is near when all of this will happen.
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written in it, because the time is near!
Blessed is the one who reads out loud the words of this prophecy. Blessed are those who hear it and think everything it says is important. The time when these things will come true is near.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
NLV
The man who reads this Book and listens to it being read and obeys what it says will be happy. For all these things will happen soon.
God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
Happy is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein. For the time is at hand.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near.
NRSVA
NRSVACE
NRSVCE
God’s blessing on the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and on those who hear them and keep what is written in it. The time, you see, is near!
OJB
Ashrey (Blessed, Happy) is the one reading and the ones hearing the divrei hanevu’ah (words of [this] prophecy) and remaining shomer regarding what is written in it, for karov (near) is HaYom [the time of crisis and the events related to the Bias HaMoshiach].
A joyous blessing rests upon the one who reads this message and upon those who hear and embrace the words of this prophecy, for the appointed time is in your hands.
Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.
Blessed is he who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written therein; for the time is near.
How fortunate is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and those who hear and keep what has been written in it—for the time is near.
Blessings come to those who read and proclaim these words aloud; blessings come to those who listen closely and put the prophetic words recorded here into practice. The finale is approaching.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.
God will bless the person who reads the words of this book. God will bless those who hear the words of this book and obey the things written in it.
Blessed is he that readeth, and he that heareth the words of this prophecy, and keepeth those things that be written in it; for the time is nigh.
Happy is he who is reading, and those hearing, the words of the prophecy, and keeping the things written in it -- for the time is nigh!
Revelation 1:2Revelation 1:4
21st Century King James Version (KJ21) Copyright © 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc.; American Standard Version (ASV) Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?); Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.; Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation; BRG Bible (BRG) Blue Red and Gold Letter Edition™ Copyright © 2012 BRG Bible Ministries. Used by Permission. All rights reserved. BRG Bible is a Registered Trademark in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office #4145648; Christian Standard Bible (CSB) The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved. ; Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible; Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved. ; Contemporary English Version (CEV) Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society; Darby Translation (DARBY) Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?); Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT) Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing; Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA) Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?); Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International; Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV) The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.; English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.; English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.; Expanded Bible (EXB) The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved. ; 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts. ; GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.; Good News Translation (GNT) Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society; Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.; International Children’s Bible (ICB) The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a division of Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.; International Standard Version (ISV) Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.; J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS) The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.; Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) Copyright © 2013, 2020 by Ransom Press International ; King James Version (KJV) Public Domain; Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV) KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.; Lexham English Bible (LEB) 2012 by Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software; Living Bible (TLB) The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.; The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson; Modern English Version (MEV) The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. ; Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament (MOUNCE) The Mounce Reverse Interlinear™ New Testament (MOUNCE) Copyright © 2011 by William D. Mounce. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. “Reverse Interlinear” is a trademark of William D. Mounce.; Names of God Bible (NOG) The Names of God Bible (without notes) © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group. ; New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE) Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. ; New American Standard Bible (NASB) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.; New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.; New Century Version (NCV) The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.; New English Translation (NET) NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.; New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.; New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.; New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.; New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; New Life Version (NLV) Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.; New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.; New Matthew Bible (NMB) Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). All rights reserved. ; New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition (NRSVACE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; New Testament for Everyone (NTE) Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011.; Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB) Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International; The Passion Translation (TPT) The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com; Revised Geneva Translation (RGT) © 2019 by Five Talents Audio; Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE) The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; Tree of Life Version (TLV) Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.; The Voice (VOICE) The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. ; World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name "World English Bible" is trademarked.; Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE) © 1969, 1971, 1996, 1998 by SOON Educational Publications; Wycliffe Bible (WYC) 2001 by Terence P. Noble; Young's Literal Translation (YLT) by Public Domain
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Cliff Miller
On Spotify
On Apple Music
Inspiration & Legacy
Cliff Miller has been writing, recording, and performing music in his native state for over 20 years. Through hard work, commitment to craft, and consumate professionalism, he's earned his place on stages alongside names such as Lee Brice, Whitey Morgan, Randy Houser, Casey Donahue, and Jerrod Nieman.
Cliff derives inspiration from the small town where he grew up and now raises his own family. His talent for capturing the full spectrum of life's experiences in timeless melody and verse has attracted a stellar group of musicians to his side.
Matt Hartz originally came in to the studio to do some work on Cliff's early country recordings. Impressed by the songs, live appearances soon followed as did a blooming friendship and respect. Matt brings with him a world-renowned reputation as a champion fiddle player and exciting performer who can't stand still. He's comfortable on just about anything with strings so you never know which weapon he might choose for a given song.
Makaela Shippy comes from a long line of country music performers going back over 60 years. A competition veteran with a full roster of students, she's quickly become an in-demand performer elevating the high-end with melodic solos and vocal harmonies.
Fred Fischer, drummer extraordinaire, prides himself on precision timing and showmanship. A veteran of countless stages and genres, his contributions to the band include song composition, structure, and business acumen. It's a good thing Fred is a celebrated drum instructor with his own recording studio since his performances inspire so many drummers-to-be.
Alf de Varona, on bass guitar, also has a long list of musical accomplishments, many of them with bandmate Fred Fischer. Dedicated to engaging the audience during performances, Alf will often be found at the front of the stage leading sing alongs, encouraging dancing, and making sure the energy level never drops below 500%.
It all ads up to an experienced lineup of committed professional musicians who deliver the goods on time every time. Attend a performance soon or book the band today and see for yourself!
Reckoning 4:56
Best Part of This Town 2:56
Ground Blind 3:14
Walking Nervous Habit 4:09
Very Best Adventures 4:37
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NARAL Anniversary Luncheon
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
Remarks at NARAL Anniversary Luncheon
Thank you. I am honored to be here with all of you on NARAL's 30th anniversary to celebrate the voices you have raised, the battles you have waged, and the victories won on behalf of women around the world.
For 30 years, every step forward for women's reproductive health in America has had one thing in common: the leadership of the people in this room. So I wanted to come this afternoon for many reasons, but I want to start by thanking all of you for what you do every day for the rights and health of women and families. I want to thank my dear friend, Secretary Shalala, Nancy Rubin, former and present members of Congress, Lucky Roosevelt and Susie Gelman for your hard work. And I particularly want to thank someone else. I know that in her remarks, Kate spotlighted many of NARAL's countless achievements, but I happened to notice that she left one thing out. And that is that none of it would have been possible in these last years without her and her leadership. Whether speaking out in the halls of Congress or organizing in communities across America, no one understands the stakes more. No one has been more courageous, passionate and tireless in the battle to make sure that every child is wanted, to make sure every pregnancy is planned, to make sure that every woman is blessed with reproductive health and freedom. And Kate, we all want to thank you for what you've done every single day. Thank you very much.
I'm also very humbled and honored to join the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and all of you, in honoring the courageous life and work of Dr. Slepian. The President and I, the Vice President and Tipper had the opportunity to meet Lynne Slepian and her four sons in Buffalo the other day. I don't know how I could adequately express the feelings that the four of us had standing there and talking with Lynne. Marilyn Buckham, the director of the Buffalo clinic, was with her. And those four young men. I'm told that recently Lynne, in a conversation with a friend, said how astounded she was that countless people that she didn't know had offered to help her family. Her friend replied, "It's because so many people admired Bart's courage and commitment." "But you know," Lynne said, "he didn't do those things to be admired." And the friend replied, "We know. And that's one of the reasons we admired him so much."
For his work was not the work of politics. It was the work of a community physician who brought life into the world, and gave health and dignity to women. That was his mission, and it must be our enduring goal.
Because we are here not only to celebrate NARAL's 30th birthday, but also to commemorate the 26th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. We can all take heart that despite many attempts to chip away at its guarantees, Roe is still the law of the land. We can take heart that we have stopped the global gag rule, for now. That Title X family planning funding increased by $12 million. And that federal health plans are now required, if they cover prescription drugs, to also cover contraceptives.
But there is even more that happened this past year that we can celebrate. Because after years of moving in the wrong direction, we are finally seeing teen pregnancies and teen sexual activity going down. Unintended pregnancies are down. Abortions are down by a full 12 percent. And all of this happened under a pro-choice president who has refused to back down in his support of a woman's right to choose. A pro-choice president who respects the strongly held views of those who act in good faith, hold a different view. And who has worked to make good on the promise he made seven years ago to work to make abortion safe, legal and rare. Now you know better than anyone else that this will never be, it cannot be, an easy issue. It will always be hard. We don't have to look any further than the events on the Mall, the event in this room, and the gulf between them to know that emotions and feelings will always run deep.
But all too often, generally because of the loudest voices, the American people don't hear explained the efforts that we're engaged in to continue to work with people from all different walks of life to make abortion safe, legal, and rare. But instead they hear what Lawrence Tribe calls "The Clash of Absolutes." People shouting at each other about their differences instead of talking about and working to find what they have in common. That doesn't mean that anyone should ever abandon his or her belief that their fundamental convictions, and certainly, for those of us here, it means we never abandon our belief that the fundamental human right all people have to plan their own families. And it also means that we can never work with those who advocate violence. But there are people of good faith on all sides of this issue, and every day that we fail to find common ground to meet our goals of giving human rights and dignity to all people, another day goes by where a child is born unwanted, or a woman cannot get access to proper health care, or a teenager becomes pregnant and doesn't know what to do.
Across our country, we come to this issue as men and women, young and old, some far beyond years when we have to worry about getting pregnant, others too young to remember what it was like in the days before Roe v. Wade. People call themselves by different labels, follow different political philosophies or religions, but I think it's essential that as Americans we look for that common ground that we can all stand upon. For more than anything, our democracy is built upon a powerful idea: that people with profound differences and backgrounds can work together, across whatever divides them personally, in pursuit of common goals. Because, despite our differences, there are certain core beliefs and values that tie us together and set us apart as Americans. And it is those beliefs that can guide us in reaching our goal of keeping abortion safe, legal and rare into the next century.
I want to talk about three of those core, fundamental American beliefs. First, as Americans, most of us believe that the government should never be involved in the personal decision a woman makes about whether to bring a child into this world. I know that earlier you got a look at the new NARAL ad that will begin running Monday night. And I want to congratulate NARAL for calling choice what it is: a fundamental American value and freedom. So every time we hear calls from those who would do away with family planning or limit reproductive rights, I hope we remember how fundamental our American values are to this debate. I also hope we will hear the voices of others who have come before us. Just imagine for a minute hearing the voices of the women who lined around the block for hours in 1916, waiting for Margaret Sanger to open the nation's first birth control clinic in Brooklyn. Before the police shut it down 10 days later, the clinic managed to help hundreds of women, and they all had their stories to tell. Stories of miscarriages and dangerous and illegal abortions, and the daily struggles to feed, clothe and shelter seven, eight, nine, ten or even more children when there was barely enough to care for one.
Of course we know too well the human history beyond our shores is replete with examples of inhumanity, and the abuse of power. So every time someone glibly says that we should have a constitutional amendment banning abortion or we should criminalize abortions, I hope we will listen to the voices of those who have been the victims of such practices. I hope we could hear the voices of the women who have suffered, often in silence, in Nazi Germany. For Aryan women, deemed "valuable," abortion facilities were prohibited, and their miscarriages were investigated by the police. For Jewish women, and Gypsy men and women in the concentration camps, they faced mass sterilizations as part of the quest to prevent "inferior" children. And from 1942 on, when women deported as forced labor became pregnant, their pregnancy was reported to a special S.S. officer, who tested them to identify their race, and then he decided the outcome of their pregnancy.
Every time someone tries to eliminate access to family planning, or further curtail reproductive rights, I hope we'll hear voices from women in Romania. When I visited there just a few years ago, I spoke with women about what it was like before they had democracy -- when they were taken against their will, often, or just as it became a matter of course once a month during their working hours. Taken to a general holding facility where they were physically examined to determine if they were pregnant, stripping them of their dignity.
As part of Ceausescu's campaign to increase population in Romania to 30 million, birth control, sex education and abortions were outlawed. You could open the door of your home and find a member of the communist youth group there to quiz you about your private life to find out why you hadn't conceived yet. And if you failed to conceive, you were fined a celibacy tax of up to 10 percent of your monthly salary.
I hope we will also listen to the voices coming out of China. The voices of women today now include many who are working to ensure that their country's family planning practices are voluntary and respectful. When I was there, I heard about what the one-child policy had once meant for too many women.
Back in the early 1980s, your menstrual cycle and use of contraceptives could be monitored by local authorities. If you wanted to have a child, you needed to get permission or perhaps face punishment. And, after you'd had your one allotted child, you could be sterilized against your will or forced to have an abortion.
Which is why in my speech in Beijing, I said that "It is a violation of human rights when women are denied the right to plan their own families -- and that includes being forced to have an abortion or being sterilized against their will."
I hope everyone who has ever talked about making abortion illegal or limiting access to family planning will listen to these voices from our own history and the history of other women around our world. More powerful than any statistic, they tell the story of two different extremes. The government saying you cannot have children -- and the government saying you must have children. Neither of which is consistent with our American sense of fundamental justice, freedom and democracy.
That's why NARAL is right to keep asking, Who decides? And the American people have been right to answer again and again: This difficult decision must be made by individual women, in privacy, in consultation with her conscience, her family, her doctor, her God and not her member of Congress.
We also must continue to say that making abortion illegal only succeeds in doing one thing -- making it unsafe, dangerous for women. As the Guttmacher Institute study released yesterday makes clear, even in some countries where abortion is illegal, they have abortion rates higher than what we have here in the United States. Because even when abortion is illegal, women who feel they need or have a right to the procedure find a way -- but often at great risks to themselves. Every year around the world, almost 600,000 women die of pregnancy related causes -- and 78,000 of these deaths are because of unsafe abortions.
Even in our country, we have seen what can happen when a small group of extremists tries to accomplish through violence and intimidation what they have been unable to achieve through the ballot box or the courts.
That brings me to the second principle that I hope continues to guide our country, and that is this: Violence, harassment, and intimidation have no role in our health care system or in this debate. Yes, we should respect each other's First Amendment rights to express our views. But no one debases the values of free speech, life and religion more than terrorists who claim to be acting in their name.
At Dr. Slepian's memorial, there were countless parents who came to honor him. And they did not come alone. In their arms or by their sides were the children that he had delivered, some of whose lives he had literally saved. They will be his lasting legacy.
But what can each of us do that would best honor his memory, and the memory of others who have been killed? We must honor them as Dr. Wortman has done, by refusing to back down in our efforts to make sure that doctors are trained and available to provide safe and comprehensive health care to women all over our nation.
And we can do everything in our power to prevent violence and terrorism before it happens. In the last 10 years, there have been seven murders, 38 bombings, 146 cases of arson, and 733 cases of vandalism. Wherever one stands on the issue of abortion, surely we should all agree that when doctors are murdered, when clinics are bombed, splattered with acid, or set on fire, this is not free expression. This is domestic terrorism. And it must stop.
That's why I'm pleased to announce that the President's FY 2000 budget will include $4.5 million to provide extra security to clinics at risk. And that means proper lighting, motion detectors, closed-circuit cameras, security systems, and bullet-resistant windows.
You know, we should recognize that nothing good can come from people preaching or practicing hate -- whether they do it from a street corner or from a website. And no one has taught us this lesson better than the man whose birthday we celebrated this past Monday. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his speech about this topic 33 years ago said, "There is scarcely anything more tragic in life than a child who is not wanted." And that brings me to my third point.
More than anything, as Americans I think we can find common ground in the belief that all children should be wanted -- and that indeed abortions should be rare.
I have met thousands and thousands of pro-choice men and women. I have never met anyone who is pro-abortion. Being pro-choice is not being pro-abortion. Being pro-choice is trusting the individual to make the right decision for herself and her family, and not entrusting that decision to anyone wearing the authority of government in any regard.
Now I think we can all agree that it is a tragedy when four in 10 pregnancies worldwide are unplanned -- and half of them end in abortion. Now if we want, really, to reduce these numbers, we know we cannot achieve that goal by making abortions harder to get. We must do it by standing up for family planning here and around the world. And I am pleased to announce that the President's budget request for FY 2000 does just that.
He is asking for an increase of $25 million in Title X Family Planning grants -- the largest increase in 15 years -- and is also asking for $25 million for the United Nations Population Fund -- thereby renewing our commitment to those women around the world who rely upon that fund for contraceptives, maternal care, and child care.
Now, I am always amazed -- as I was during the debates on this issue last year -- that those who oppose family planning try to link family planning to increases in abortion. Now we know that it is, on the contrary, by refusing to fund family planning programs that we force women to fall back on abortion.
We know that contraception reduces the probability of having an abortion by 85 percent. We know that every year, U.S. family planning programs prevent 1.2 million unintended pregnancies and 516,000 abortions in our country alone. And we have seen the same results the world over.
I am looking forward to my trip to the Hague in a little over, a little less, I guess now, than two weeks, where nations will gather in anticipation of Cairo plus five, to highlight success stories -- and find ways of replicating them worldwide.
But I have already seen many of those success stories firsthand. As I have personally had the opportunity to visit health centers all over the world, where family planning is decreasing the abortion rate -- and helping women gain authority and dignity in their own lives.
I remember visiting a maternity hospital in Brazil, where they had integrated family planning and reproductive health into their maternal and health services.
I saw mothers standing in the crowded hallways, cradling their newborns, waiting for well-baby appointments. Young women waiting for their prenatal appointments. Infants getting immunized. I saw parents getting the information they needed to make wise choices about planning their families. And I also saw wards of women who were there because they had not received quality health care. Many had, however, received self-induced or back-alley abortions.
I spoke to a number of mothers who told me that for the first time they could adequately care for the children they had. I learned about how rates of maternal mortality and abortion decreased because women received health care they needed in a timely fashion. And I fell in love with the Minister of Health for the state I was visiting when he said what everyone knows, and that is he intended to bring to poor women the same access to family planning services that well-to-do women take for granted.
It was indeed a victory when contraceptives were included last year in health plans for federal employees. But now, private plans should cover contraceptives as well. It is also past time to pass a Patient's Bill of Rights so that women will not have to go through a gatekeeper to see their OB/GYN every year. And it is time, through our community health clinics and other facilities, to give all people access to effective family planning and, I hope someday, universal health care.
And, if we want to decrease unintended pregnancies, abortions, welfare, and the number of young people dropping out of school, we must continue the progress we have made on preventing teen pregnancy. I am very pleased with the results of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, headed by Sarah Brown and enlisting many distinguished Americans. That campaign has made teen pregnancy an issue on the front covers of teen magazines and soap operas, and has used many imaginative ways of reaching out with many Americans, particularly young Americans, as possible. And we've got some success to show for this effort.
Fewer teens are having sex, getting pregnant, and having abortions, so we are getting the word out, but there are clearly too many young people who have not yet gotten this message. I'm always stunned when I meet with groups of young women who have babies already, who are pregnant and perhaps attending a class I visit. They sit there with a totally straight face and tell me that as soon as their boyfriend gets a job or gets back from the Army, or gets out of jail, they'll be a family, and everything will work out just fine. Well, we know better, and we have to continue to educate our young women about that reality as well.
But we know that young women get pregnant for a whole host of reasons. Some just don't understand why it's a bad idea, because they will, they think, have someone who is totally there who will love them unconditionally, at least until that child becomes a toddler and learns to say no. But that's another story. Some are coerced by older boyfriends. Some are the victims of incest. Others can't cope with school or their family and see pregnancy and motherhood as a way out. Whatever the reason might be, we have to try to reach every single teenager. We're doing that in a variety of ways. We are leaving no strategy unused. The pregnancy prevention programs include abstinence education, more after-school programs, efforts like Secretary Shalala's Girl Power Campaign, access to family planning, decision-making groups -- any approach that we think can work.
And we are seeing that this multi-pronged strategy can give us positive results. For example, back in 1990, Cortland, New York, had one of the highest teen pregnancy rates around. The county's family planning clinic and Catholic Charities decided to work together. They made the clinic free. They enlisted teens to talk to teens. They created a place for youngsters to go every Saturday night with adult supervision. They brought in religious leaders and businesses and they taught parents how to talk to their own children. And they set a goal of reducing the teenage pregnancy rate by one-third by the year 2000. Today they have almost reached that goal. As of 1996, the rates had decreased 30 percent -- the lowest in that community in 20 years.
So we know what works. We have to muster the will and build the coalitions that reach out and include all members of a community in making it possible for not only young people, but people of any age, to have access to the services, to be given the support they need to make wise decisions about their sexual life so that they can prevent pregnancy and prevent abortion.
I remember hearing about a conversation that Sarah Brown had with a teen father in Los Angeles. As they talked about what he felt like, being a father at such a young age, at the end of the conversation, he told Sarah that, "No adult had ever taken that much interest in what happened to me."
Well, the truth is that we have to pay attention to young women and young men, we have to do what we can to make it possible that they can have the equipment they need -- psychologically, emotionally -- to withstand pressure and to make the right decisions.
One young person from Texas, when asked what parents could do to prevent their own children from becoming pregnant said: "Don't leave us alone so much." Now, as any parent of teenagers knows, I don't think he meant literally he wanted to spend every second with his parents. But I do think that he was sending us in the adult community a very important message: that we have to fill our young people's lives with meaningful activities, skills they can obtain, a good education and just plain old-fashioned support and love. If we give them something else in their lives to look forward to -- playing on a soccer team, being in a school play, or going to college, becoming a teacher, whatever it might be -- then the needs that they sometimes feel to achieve maturity early will have some tough competition.
A number of years ago, at the Baltimore Self Center, Rosalie Strett used to give pregnant girls baby dolls to teach them to be parents. But she replaced the face of the doll with a mirror -- not only so they would learn to make eye contact with their children, but so that when they looked down, they would see themselves, and that child, in the future.
Imagine if every person looked into the mirror before sexual activity, before a pregnancy, and asked, "Am I ready for this?" Imagine if boys and men -- not just girls and women -- looked into that mirror as well. Because we have to do more to reach out to young men, and enlist them in the campaign to make abortion rare, and to make it possible for them also to define their lives in terms other than what they imagine sexual prowess and fatherhood being.
All of us -- citizens, parents, teachers, government officials, the media, sports figures, religious leaders, business leaders -- all of us need to look in that mirror. We have to make it our responsibility to create a new ethic of planned parenthood in this country. An ethic where people have the tools they need to plan every pregnancy -- probably, by any measurement, the most important event in their lives -- with as much care and detail as they plan other major events.
I hope we will do more than imagine. I think again of Dr. Slepian, who despite the harassment, had the courage every day to be there for the women who relied upon him.
I think of the women who died in back-alley abortions. The women forced to bear children in Romania or forced to abort them in China. And I think of the pioneers in our own country before Roe v. Wade -- some in this room -- who, even when you were ridiculed, threatened or ostracized, stood up for the right of each woman to choose. You have led us to this day, and we are grateful for your leadership. But now we have to expand far beyond this room, and far beyond those who are already identified an understanding that the issue we are proposing -- the pro-choice issue -- is an issue with deep roots in American democracy and human rights.
I hope that at the 50th anniversary of NARAL, the people on this podium speaking to you and the people in the audience will be able to say that we persevered. We did not turn our backs on our fundamental principles, but we also faced forward. That we worked with those who were willing to work with us to end some of the divisiveness that has plagued this issue. And we found the courage -- and the common ground -- to make it possible for future generations to say that abortion is safe, legal and indeed, rare.
At some point in that future, where we will be able, I hope, to have built a much stronger foundation, and created on much more common ground, we will not have to hear these endless debates about family planning, about reproductive rights, but instead, we will all be focused on giving to each person in our country the respect that person needs to make the decisions all of our lives that only we can and should make. That's the kind of America that we celebrate today. That's the kind of America we must continue to fight for. Thank you all very much.
Dolly Madison Commemorative Silver Dollar Unveiling
RUSH Presbyterian
Eid Al-Fitr Celebration
Mars Millennium Project
Qualified Teachers in Every Classroom Event
Families Agenda Rountable
Social Security Teleconference
Foster Care Tranitioning
Jo Oberstar Breast Cancer Memorial Lecture
U.S. Conference of Mayors
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Awards
Fifth Millennium Evening: Meaning of the Millennium
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Where to Begin with G.K. Chesterton
by Courtney Guest Kim | Dec 5, 2018 | Classics
Gilbert Keith Chesterton became a Catholic in 1922, at the age of 48. He had become a Christian believer many years earlier, through the influence of his wife, and in 1908 had published Orthodoxy, his first public profession of the Apostles’ Creed. His spiritual journey began in the watery Unitarian Universalism of his upbringing, emerged into a punchy Anglo-Catholicism (High Church Anglicanism) and mellowed into Roman Catholicism as his convictions matured.
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Chesterton lived through the Great War, but he was already 40 in 1914, so did not experience the trenches firsthand, unlike C. S. Lewis, a generation younger, whose own progress to faith was influenced by Chesterton’s The Everlasting Man. Whereas Lewis was a Modern with a nostalgia for Victorian tastes, Chesterton was a Victorian utterly impervious to modernity. He has none of the disillusionment, despair or discipline of his juniors who fought on the edge of No Man’s Land.
If Charles Dickens could have dropped a character into the 20th century, that character would have become Chesterton. Chesterton wrote a biography of Dickens and was influenced by his writing style. Anyone who wants to explore Chesterton should probably take a look at the characters of Dickens because Chesterton in his various aspects embodies the joviality of the comic, the cunning of the strategic, the sensitivity of the tragic personalities that populate those novels of an earlier era.
Chesterton remains most famous for his Father Brown mystery stories. His detective, Fr. Brown, is modeled on a Catholic priest who influenced his spiritual journey. The series is characterized by a mix of whimsical humor, spiritual meditation, and intellectual conundrums in the British detective tradition.
But it’s in his polemic Essays that Chesterton’s sense of humor distinguishes him most sharply from his competitors. He manages to find the humor in a wide variety of subjects that other authors tend to treat more ascerbically. Over and over again, he asserts “the reasonable right of the amateur to do what he can with the facts which the specialists provide.” There’s nothing subtle about him. He cracks jokes, digs you in the ribs and laughs uproariously at his own wit. But hang around for a while, and you’ll start to realize that he’s not just a funny raconteur tossing out fine phrases. He has a quality that we don’t expect anymore: intellectual courage.
It’s when Chesterton sallies out to tackle the tricky conundrums, the vexing challenges, the really hard questions that everyone else prudently backs away from—this is when you see the mettle of the man. He sets himself up for a difficult problem, then adds in a few extra knots to make it really impossible to solve. Then, like a philosophical Houdini, with extraordinary acuity, in a sentence or two, he extricates himself not just in triumph, but with flair. Chesterton has style, and he maintains it consistently across all the variety of genres that he tries his hand at. If you’re interested in lives of saints, he’ll give you both St. Francis of Assisi and St. Thomas Aquinas (“The Dumb Ox”), and he’ll make you want to find out about the dry details of historical record that never before seemed interesting at all. He’ll give you Heretics too, and they won’t be what you expect.
If you’re asphyxiating in the environment of a toxic ideology, Chesterton will swoop down, carry you away, pour tonic down your throat and tickle you until you start to laugh
He died in 1936, three years after Hitler became chancellor of Germany, but two years before the Nazis annexed Austria. His book The End of the Armistice predicts not only the onset of the second world war but Germany’s invasion of Poland and the bloodthirst of the Nazi racial ideology. His voice reaches us from an age when the sun had not yet set on the British Empire when it was still possible to espouse patriotism while critiquing imperialism. Eight decades later and a world away, his hearty good cheer will warm the heart of struggling Christians of any stripe.
If you’re asphyxiating in the environment of a toxic ideology, Chesterton will swoop down, carry you away, pour tonic down your throat and thump you on the back. Then he’ll tickle you until you start to laugh, set you on your feet and prod you in the small of the back to get you going again. He’ll even walk with you along the path, just for the joy of it.
Genres: practical theology, autobiography, cultural commentary, apologetics, biography, detective stories, hagiography
Themes: creed vs. spirituality, flaws in atheist ideology, evidence for truth of Christian worldview, ordinary person vs. elitists, the spiritual in everyday life, humor, eclectic variety of saints, the importance of engaging in society
Author’s Worldview: Christian, Catholic
Audience: high school reading level or above; very readable author, one of the best for presenting complex topics in engaging prose
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CAYR* COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS was originally founded as the AIDS Committee of York Region in 1993 and formally incorporated as a registered charitable organization in 1996.
To create safe, confidential, and inclusive spaces and services in York Region where people can access dignified support and meaningfully engage in self-determined pathways to well-being. We envision an informed, healthy, stigma-free and compassionate community.
We offer specialized and combined programs for:
People living with HIV/AIDS (newly diagnosed to long-term survivors)
People affected by or at risk of HIV and Hep C
People who use drugs
People who identify as 2SLGBTQ+
People supporting vulnerable and marginalized community members
We cultivate an environment where individuals and communities can equitably and meaningfully achieve their full potential.
We uphold human dignity and the rights of individuals and communities to make informed choices.
We nurture a holistic approach to well-being that includes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspirations.
We build upon the collective strengths of individuals and communities.
Our values are rooted in the principles of:
Greater and meaningful involvement and engagement of people with lived experience of HIV/AIDS, drug and substance use, as well as 2SLGBTQ+ identified community members.
Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression
*“CAYR” is phonetically pronounced /keə(r)/ and is based on the word “CARE” as in “to care for” persons served by the agency.
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View Full Course Library
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Author: Donna Thomas (RN, MSN, BSHEd)
Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a stressful developmental period filled with major changes in physical maturity, sexuality, cognitive processes, emotional feelings, and relationships with others. The age of adolescence is generally regarded as 11-19 years of age; however, some individuals function as adolescents well into their 20’s or more! Adolescence is the time for formulating a sense of personal identity, emancipation from the family unit, and for challenging parental authority.
As adolescents gain independence and take more responsibility for their own health, preventative healthcare and education become vital to ensure understanding and compliance. Prevention includes, but is not limited to, knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy prevention, and the effects of drugs, substance abuse and smoking. The Society of Adolescent Medicine identifies seven criteria for providing healthcare to adolescents:
Flexibility of healthcare providers to recognize and respond to the individual and diverse needs of adolescents,
Confidentiality of medical information requiring adolescent consent (with the encouragement of family/guardian involvement),
Visibility of adolescent preventive healthcare guidelines,
Quality care,
Access to care,
Coordination of medical, mental health, social and other services, and
Availability of age-appropriate services.
Adolescence is a time of many transitions that do not follow the same time line for everyone. It is important to understand the physical changes that are occurring in both sexes. There are growth spurts with rapid gains in height and weight. Weight gains are due to increased muscle development in males and body fat in females. During a one-year growth spurt, boys average at least 4.1 inches and girls 3.5 inches in height. Typically girls are two years ahead of the boys.
Puberty, which is the beginning of adolescences, is a time when hormonal levels change and secondary sex characteristics blossom. This is the point when reproduction is possible. Secondary sex characteristics include:
Menarche (first menstrual period for girls) and penis growth for boys,
Growth of pubic hair,
Facial hair growth for boys,
Growth of underarm hair,
Voice changes for boys,
Nocturnal emissions occurring in the boys, and
The beginning of acne with the increased production of oil and sweat gland activity.
A normal child’s brain will grow the most during the first five years of life. It reaches 90 percent of its final size by age one. Recent studies suggest that this process is not completed until late adolescence and that the connections between neurons affecting emotional, physical, and mental abilities are incomplete. This may be the reason some teens cannot control their emotions, and seem to have no common sense. Growth of a child’s body is complete between the ages of 16 and 18, when the growing ends of bones fuse. Reproductive maturity and gametogenesis is usually delayed for one to two years after external changes are exhibited.
These physical changes cause teens to sleep longer. It is not unusual for teens to sleep over nine hours a night. They tend to be sleepy at getting up times. Teens are curious about what they will look like and are confused by the changes. Suddenly, they show a personal interest in appearance and height, weight, penis size, and bra size becomes important.
Girls focus on loosing weight and some develop eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (starvation) or bulimia (binge eating and vomiting). In contrast, boys, tend to be constantly hungry and companionship at meals and at after-school snacks becomes important.
Adolescence is the time when teens want to fit in with their peers, but may not be physically developing at the same rate as their peers. Some develop early and some later than others. Teens who mature early tend to be placed in leadership positions because adults assume early maturing teens are also cognitively mature. Teens who mature early tend to be more popular with their peers. Younger girls who mature early tend to be pressured into developing dating relationships with older boys because of their new physical endowments, before they are emotionally ready. These girls tend to suffer from anxiety, eating disorders, and depression.
The growth spurts that teens experience causes them to be clumsier and to appear uncoordinated. Self-image is challenged during this phase of development. Now is the time when teens feel awkward and shy about demonstrating affection to the opposite sex, parent or guardian.
Direct questions about sex are asked as sexual values are being established. Teens tend to equate intimacy with sex and engage in the physical act, assuming the emotional attachment will follow. They want to know how to abstain from sex and when it is the right time to have sex. Questions about birth control and sexually transmitted diseases are common during this stage of their growth and development.
Supportive Survival Therapy
Stress the positive by building up teen’s self esteem and confidence. Do not criticize or compare to others.
Encourage healthy eating habits by being a positive role model and by offering healthy foods and drinks. Teens need to consume more calories to fuel their growth.
Help teens develop a more positive self-image, encourage physical activity. Exercise helps to burn excess energy while building strong muscles. Become a role model.
Respect the teen’s need for physical space, but maintain open lines of communication. Let the teen know you still love them!
Allow the teen to maintain a sense of control over their developing bodies by increasing their bathroom time. Excessive grooming habits are the norm as they advance into middle and late adolescence.
Provide knowledgeable, honest answers about sex. Use language and pictures that they will understand. Refer to appropriate educational internet sites
Teens have better thinking skills than they did at a younger age. A process called Concrete Operations occurs when the youth is seven to eleven years old. She/he is able to deal with properties of the present world in solving new problems. At this time the youth cannot yet deduce or reason hypothetically. Thus reasoning is inductive because decisions are based on the influence of others. Developing advanced reasoning skills starts at approximately twelve to fifteen years of age. This is called the development of Formal Operations. The adolescent learns to attack problems from the angle of all possible combinations of relations. Free use of hypothetical reasoning occurs. Variables are systematically isolated and manipulated. The youth becomes introspective.
Formal operation is the ability to foresee the consequences of his /her actions and to detect the logical consistency within a statement. Finally, the adolescent is able to think realistically about self, others, and their world, without egocentrism. This means the teen thinks about the whole not just the self. Developing abstract thinking skills by thinking about things that cannot be seen, heard, or touched is also part of this cognitive process.
Teens develop the ability to think using a process called meta-cognition. This process allows individuals to think about how they feel and what they are thinking. This process is the ability to think realistically about self, others, and their world. Logical strategies are created to meet a need. One device is the creation of mnemonic devices to help in memory retainment.
All of these Cognitive Changes cause adolescents to demonstrate the following actions:
Respect and listen to the teenager and develop a genuine trusting relationship.
Encourage the teen to discuss behavioral rules, consequences, and ways to meet their needs while being responsible for their actions in a safe environment.
Provide opportunities for teens to participate in risky behaviors in a well-supervised, controlled environment.
Share experiences with teens with the understanding that they may not appreciate the lessons you learned from your experiences,
Encourage and help provide opportunities for the teen to get involved in community service and the surrounding world.
Psychosocial Development
Changes in adolescent physical and cognitive development are also accompanied by major changes in adolescent’s relationships with others, including family and friends. The following are five recognized psychosocial issues: establishing an identity; establishing autonomy, independence, and a self-governance; establishing intimacy; establishing self-esteem and comfort with one’s sexuality; and achievement.
Establishing an identity or self-knowledge about one’s characteristics, or personality is vital. This is one of the most important tasks of adolescents. At this stage he/she begins to integrate the opinions of influential others into their own likes and dislikes. Values and beliefs, occupational goals, and relationship expectations emerge. Difficulty in developing a clear concept of self or identity occurs when adolescents are unable to resolve struggles about who they are as physical, independent, sexual persons.
Establishing autonomy, independence, and a self-governance within relationships is a necessary achievement for adolescents to become self-sufficient within society. The adolescent learns to independently work out his/her own problems, and live by his/her own set of principles of right and wrong while becoming less emotionally dependent on parents or guardians.
Establishing intimacy is of primary importance. Now is the time to develop close relationships in which people are open, honest, trusting, and caring. Adolescents report feeling more understood and accepted by their peers and spend less and less time with their parents and other family members. Close friendships tend to develop with adolescents that are more similar in social class, ethnic backgrounds, and interests. It is within these groups that adolescents explore their sexuality, and feelings about it. Girls are more intimate with self-disclosure; whereas boys form relationships with groups of friends who validate each other’s worth with their deeds and actions.
Establishing self-esteem and comfort with one’s sexuality also occurs during this time. Due to the many body changes during adolescence, teens become more concerned about who they are and who they want to be. The key question raised is “how much do I like myself?” Adolescents tend to place more importance on their appearance. As teens move into the late adolescent stages he/she develops a more secure sense of who they are. The teen at this stage is physically mature enough to reproduce and becomes actively conscious of the opposite sex. How teens are educated in attitude and deed will greatly determine whether they develop a healthy sexual identity. This is the time when teens become sexually active. Teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases/AIDS start to appear within this population.
Several predictors of sexual intercourse during the early adolescent years, including early pubertal development, a history of sexual abuse, poverty, lack of attentive and nurturing parents, cultural and family patterns of early sexual experience, lack of school or career goals, substance abuse, and poor school performance or dropping out of school (Klein, 2005). Factors associated with a delay in the initiation of sexual intercourse include living with both parents in a stable family environment, regular attendance at places of worship, and higher family income (Klein). Recently, parental supervision, setting expectations, and parent/child connectedness have been recognized as clearly associated with decreasing risky sexual behavior and other risky behaviors among adolescents (Klein).
Achievement is pushed and valued within our society. Teens now begin to see the relationship between their current abilities, need for more knowledge and experience in order to improve their chances to reach their future goals.
All of these psychosocial changes cause teens to change how they interact with family and friends. Teens spend more time with their friends and less with their family. Acceptable and not acceptable social skills and practices are developed and reinforced through peer pressure. When it comes to decisions about education, values and long-term plans, the teen still tends to conform to parental influences. More questions about sexuality and when it is the right time to experience sex arise. Teens become curious about what their parents did as teenagers and how they handled sex. Some teens begin to keep a journal to help establish their feelings and individual identities. Privacy and having their own space is vital to being independent and to being considered equal in their parents’ eyes. Teens become more argumentative and start to question adults’ values and judgments. They tend to feel they know best! Teens when asked where they are going or who they will be with are elusive and answer in generalities. Teens become involved with many activities in order to determine what they are good at, what’s thought of as cool, and what they enjoy. They are quick to change their interests. Many teens do not want to be seen with their parents even though the parent may now be more of a friend/equal!
Provide a safe, structured environment. Give the teen the opportunity to establish their own behavioral guidelines and consequences. They learn to be responsible for their actions.
Always be aware of the teens’ friends and associates. Meet them and their parents/guardians.
Provide a home where teens feel comfortable hanging out.
Praise teens for their efforts, and accomplishments. Celebrate significant passages in their growth and development. For example, mother and daughter go to lunch when the daughter gets her first period or a father takes his son camping when the son starts to shave.
Help the teenager strive for realistic goals. Reward the positive and give praise. Let the teen know what the requirements are.
Take time to listen to your teen and to make them feel important.
Special Characteristics of the Stages of Adolescence
Adolescents can be broken down into three stages. These are Early Adolescence, Middle Adolescence, and Late Adolescence.
Puberty is also considered Early Adolescence. Each sex has special characteristics during this period of growth and development. Both sexes vacillate between maturity and babyishness. Moodiness, sloppiness, and disorder become the norm. They rebel against home and rules/curfews. Same sex close friendships develop and questions about erotic feelings or behaviors toward the same sex arise. Some special characteristics of girls include, but are not limited to the following:
Giggling,
Crush on older men,
Talkative, but not communicative,
Interested in romantic love, and
Play acting.
Some special characteristics of boys include, but are not limited to the following:
Boisterous,
Clumsy,
Secretive,
Dirty- poor attention to grooming,
Talks a lot about sex and girls,
Spends more time out of the house,
Gains more weight and height than girls,
Same gender sexual encounters are relatively common, and
Can express sexuality through masturbation.
Middle Adolescence is the phase of development when there is a limited concept of cause and effect and the teen feels omnipotent. Often times the adolescent is between 12-16 years of age. During this phase, the greatest experimental risk taking happens. This is evidenced by drinking and driving, drinking while pregnant, and having unprotected sex. Sexually transmitted diseases now start to rise among this population. Thus drinking, drugs, smoking, and sexual experimentation are of primary importance to the Middle Adolescence. This is the time when first intercourse, first drink, or first pregnancy occurs. The major pre-occupation of Middle Adolescent is sex.
Testosterone increases are found in both sexes; however, higher levels are found in boys causing greater sexual aggressiveness and more physical drives and gratifications. Girls tend to view sexual gratification as secondary to fulfillment of other needs such as love, affection, reassurance, and self-esteem. They are less likely to abstain from sex in a relationship they sense brings closeness to someone and/or a means to act out against authority. The adolescent transition to male-female and sexual relationships are influenced by sexual interest and by cultural and social norms and expectations.
During Middle Adolescence parental conflicts occur often on a daily basis as the teenager strives for independence and thinks he/she knows all. This behavior is normal and confrontation and resolution are needed. Adolescent males and females tend to have more disagreements with their mothers than with their fathers. Teenagers now seek more advice from their friends than their parents.
Late Adolescence is a time when there are fewer conflicts and disagreements with parents/guardians. The Adolescent now seeks parental respect for opinions and acceptance of maturity. Now the teenager wants to be accepted by society, at college and in the workplace. Late Adolescence brings on questions related to career choices. Adolescents explore different work areas by volunteering or taking on part time jobs to assist them in making decisions related to their future vocations. Once a decision is reached, the adolescent’s self-concept and sense of self-worth help establish a positive identity.
However, indecisions regarding vocational choices are common. Much of this is caused by family influences: mother or dad’s professional aspirations for their children based on what they did or had hopes of doing when they were younger. The adolescent’s interests may conflict with the parent’s choices. If the adolescent is talented in a specific area and/or has varied interests this too makes choosing a vocation extremely difficult and can lead to conflicts with his/her parents. Other factors influencing vocational choices are:
Family values,
Social class,
Socioeconomic conditioners,
Need for prestige,
Vocational independence, and
Special abilities.
Some special characteristics demonstrated by girls during Late Adolescence include, but are not limited to:
Having fantasies of romantic love and seeking a mate,
Their sexual interests are less demanding, and
There is less of an interest in plans for a career.
Some special characteristics demonstrated by boys during Late Adolescence include, but are not limited to:
A greater interest in sexual gratification and less interest in finding a mate, and
More concern about establishing a career.
During Late Adolescence both sexes tend to demonstrate the following:
Concern about establishment of their own ego identity,
Concentration on appearance, (bathroom time takes twice as long),
Mood swings and rebellion,
Waning intimate relationship with buddy/girlfriend,
Greater interest in opposite sex for different reasons,
Physical growth reaches potential,
Sleep and food requirements are almost at the adult level,
Companionship at mealtimes is preferred, and
Need for parental/guardian’s approval and respect.
Non-optimal negative identity, often occur as the adolescent tries to become more independent. These adjustments delay the growth process. Peer groups highly influence the adolescent and he/she ends up conforming to the groups’ expectations. This makes it very difficult for the adolescent who may have to move. Social isolation could result as he/she attempts to fit in, or once accepted the adolescent might over identify with a peer or assume many traits of his/her parents. This can lead to identity crisis. Teens in conflict are confused, often in conflict with everyone, and do crazy things, like dating people a lot older than themselves.
Communication barriers are common during adolescence. The adolescent does not want to appear vulnerable and distrusts adults. Many feel adults do not listen to them and therefore cannot understand their feelings and behaviors. Adolescents now distrust adults and authority figures.
Adolescent Health Problems and Injuries
The adolescent years are filled with turmoil for both the adolescent and the family. Adolescent developmental issues can complicate the teenager’s ability to cope with illness, injury, medical treatments, hospitalization, surgery, and the required treatments, because their physical appearance, desire to be independent, and accepted by their peers is of primary importance. Presently about 10% of adolescents under the age of 17 years suffer from a chronic disability or illness.
Common adolescent conditions are:
Breast Conditions
Gynecological and Menstrual Conditions
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
A substantial number of morbidity and social problems resulted from the approximately 870,000 pregnancies that occurred each year among women 15-19 years of age. An estimated three million cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occurred among those 10-19 years of age (CDC, 2002).
50% of adolescent pregnancies occur within the first six months of initial sexual intercourse despite the increasing use of contraceptive devices and medications (Klein, 2005). The HIV epidemic and the public health education efforts have made an impact and more adolescents use barrier contraceptives. However, in 2003, among high school students who reported they had sexual intercourse only 63% reported having used a condom the last time they had intercourse (Klein). Even with the education provided on HIV prevention once prescription contraceptives are started, the use of condoms decreases. Many adolescents have already been sexually active a year before a prescription contraceptive is used (Klein). Currently there is decreased use of the pill and increased use of an injectable contraceptive.
Using information from 33 states with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting The Center of Disease Control reported that by the end of 2004 that there were 187,093 males and 61,726 females who had acquired AIDS. There were 528 teens with AIDS who were 13-14 years of age and 4,559 individuals 15-24 years of age with AIDS.
Impact of Sexual Behaviors
831,000 pregnancies occur each year among persons aged 15-19 years
9.1 million cases of sexually transmitted diseases occur each year among persons aged 15-24 years
An estimated 4,842 cases of HIV/AIDS occur annually among persons aged 15-24 years
The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS, 2005)
Leading causes of mortality and morbidity among adolescents were related to the following categories of health behavior:
Behaviors That Contribute to the Leading Causes of Morbidity and Mortality
Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
Alcohol and other drug use
Sexual Behaviors
Unhealthy dietary behaviors
Inadequate physical activity
These behaviors are frequently interrelated and often are established during youth and extend into adulthood.
Behaviors that contribute to Unintentional Injuries are related to:
Seat belt use,
Motorcycle helmet use,
Bicycle helmet use,
Riding with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, and
Driving after drinking alcohol
Behaviors that contribute to Violence:
Carrying a weapon,
Physical fighting,
Dating violence,
Forced sexual intercourse,
School-related violence and,
Depression and suicide ideation and attempts.
Physicians and other healthcare providers who are knowledgeable in adolescent medicine help adolescents and their families/guardians develop workable strategies to deal with developmental issues, conflicts, and complications that could occur between illness, treatment and specific developmental needs. These professionals help to improve communication between all parties to help adolescents deal with peer pressure and the desire to experiment with sex, drugs, poor nutrition, and fads.
Adolescent Mental Health
Young people can have mental, emotional, and behavioral problems that are real, painful, and costly. These problems, often called disorders, are sources of stress for children and their families, schools, and communities. The number of young people and their families who are affected by mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders is significant. It is estimated that as many as one in five children and adolescents may have a mental health disorder that can be identified and require treatment.
Mental health disorders in children and adolescents are caused by biology, environment, or a combination of the two. Examples of biological factors are genetics, chemical imbalances in the body, and damage to the central nervous system, such as a head injury. Many environmental factors also can affect mental health, including exposure to violence, extreme stress, and the loss of an important person.
Families and communities, working together, can help children and adolescents with mental disorders. A broad range of services is often necessary to meet the needs of these young people and their families. Most adolescents who experience mental health problems can return to their activities of daily living, if they receive appropriate treatment. Physicians and other healthcare providers dealing with mental health issues are available in many communities. There are also professionals available for low to no-income families.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reported the following:
8 percent of adolescents suffer from depression,
One in ten children and adolescents suffer from mental illness severe enough to cause problems in their development and daily life,
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problems that occur in children and adolescents, and
Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa are also common
Young people, who experience excessive fear, worry, or uneasiness may have an anxiety disorder. According to one study of 9- to 17-year-olds, as many as 13 of every 100 young people have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders include the following.
Phobias, which are unrealistic and overwhelming fears of objects or situations.
Generalized anxiety disorders, which cause patterns of excessive, unrealistic worry that cannot be attributed to any recent experience.
Panic disorders, which cause terrifying panic attacks that include physical symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat and dizziness.
Obsessive-compulsive disorders, which cause patterns of repeated thoughts and behaviors, such as counting or hand washing.
Post-traumatic stress disorders, which cause flashbacks and other symptoms and occurs in children who have experienced a psychologically distressing event, such as abuse, being a victim or witness to violence, or exposure to other types of trauma, such as wars or natural disasters.
Depression is a strong feeling of sadness in response to a loss or sad event. When this feeling is out of proportion to the stimulating event and the length of time lasts from months to years a problem exists. Adolescents, just like adults, can become depressed regardless of race, sex or socioeconomic status. Depression is more common in adolescents who have family members who have a history of depression.
Studies of the brain have found that there is a complex system of neurotransmitters that produce chemicals that transfer signals from nerve cell to nerve cell. Serotonin is one of these chemicals, which is responsible for giving person feelings of euphoria and well-being. There are drugs, which correct neurotransmitter imbalances. Causes or factors contributing to depression are the following:
A chemical imbalance in the brain
High levels of stress,
A sad or traumatic event such as the death of a loved one or pet,
Difficulties with friends or in school,
Childhood abuse and neglect,
Alcohol or drug abuse, and
Heredity.
Some signs of depression a child may experience are:
Withdrawal from friends and/or activities that they use to enjoy,
Sleep constantly or inability to sleep,
Feelings of worthlessness,
Weight loss or gain with change in eating habits,
A persistent sad expression,
Sudden decline in school performance,
Bouts of anger or acts of aggressiveness,
Irritability or crying,
Frequent complaints of vague physical problems (stomach ache or headache), and
Acting happy in public and then very sad at home.
Chronic depression exists when a person is depressed for at least a year or more. When there are periods of euphoria with periods of deep sadness, this is called bipolar or maniac-depressive disorder. Adolescents who demonstrate exaggerated mood swings that range from extreme highs to extreme lows may have bipolar disorder. Periods of moderate mood occur among the extreme highs and lows. During manic phases, adolescents may talk nonstop, need very little sleep, and show unusually poor judgment. At the low end of the mood swing, adolescents experience severe depression. Bipolar mood swings can recur throughout life. Adults with bipolar disorder often experienced their first symptoms during their teenage years
Adolescents often have thoughts of suicide when they are severely depressed. During this time they display no interest in anything, including eating and basic personal hygiene. In many instances of severe depression the adolescent may attempt suicide.
The key to preventing severe mental health problems later in life is early diagnosis. This is very difficult when dealing with the adolescent because of the emotional and physical barriers they put up to become independent and accepted by peers. Signs of depression are signals to find a doctor or healthcare provider who specializes in mental health problems. Special evaluation tools such as the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) questionnaire are utilized to help diagnose depression. Professionals also ask about the possibility of drug or alcohol abuse or physical abuse, which could cause or contribute to severe depression.
Treatment is available in the form of drugs and psychotherapy. Antidepressants, which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are usually started. Two of these drugs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft). These drugs increase the serotonin levels, which contribute to a feeling of well-being. Side effects are anxiety, diarrhea, headache, sweating, nausea, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and nausea.
Other age-dependent and severity-based antidepressants are also used. These include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOs), which include phenelzine and anylcypromine. MAOs block and inhibit the action of the enzyme monoamine ozidase in the central nervous system. However, these drugs should not be taken with certain foods or drinks because they can cause life-threatening side effects. These include foods that are high in tyramine (ie soy sauce, red wines, beer on tap, certain meats and aged cheeses), some over-the-counter cough medications, and both trycyclic and SSRI antidepressants. These combinations can cause sudden and severe hypertension.
Another category of antidepressant is the heterocyclics. These include bupropion, and trazodone. Bupropion should not be given to patients with seizure disorders. Trazodone is also given to adolescents with insomnia since it causes sedation.
These drugs may take from two to six weeks to be effective and must be taken around the same time of day. Antidepressants are not addictive and should not be stopped without a doctor’s permission. Antidepressants need to be reduced gradually to prevent side effects. Hospitalization is recommended for those who are suicidal.
Psychotherapy is also recommended and must be designed to meet the individual needs of the patient. All types of therapy focus on the cause of the depression and therapeutic ways to cope with each situation. Therapy can be individualized or be a combination of individual, group, and family therapy. Family support is a key to a successful outcome.
Young people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are unable to focus their attention and are often impulsive and easily distracted. ADHD occurs in up to five of every 100 children. Most children with this disorder have great difficulty remaining still, taking turns, and keeping quiet. Symptoms must be evident in at least two settings, such as home and school, in order for ADHD to be diagnosed.
Difficulties that make it harder for children and adolescents to receive or express information could be a sign of learning disorders. Learning disorders can show up as problems with spoken and written language, coordination, attention, or self-control.
Conduct Disorders
Young people with conduct disorder usually have little concern for others and repeatedly violate the basic rights of others and the rules of society. Conduct disorder causes children and adolescents to act out their feelings or impulses in destructive ways. The offenses these children and adolescents commit often grow more serious over time. Such offenses may include lying, theft, aggression, truancy, the setting of fires, and vandalism.
Children or adolescents who are intensely afraid of gaining weight and do not believe that they are underweight may have eating disorders. Eating disorders can be life threatening. Young people with anorexia nervosa, for example, have difficulty maintaining a minimum healthy body weight. Anorexia affects one in every 100 to 200 adolescent girls and a much smaller number of boys.
Youngsters with bulimia nervosa feel compelled to binge, eating huge amounts of food in one sitting. After a binge, in order to prevent weight gain, they rid their bodies of the food by vomiting, abusing laxatives, taking enemas, or exercising obsessively. Reported rates of bulimia vary from one to three of every 100 young people.
Children with autism, also called autistic disorder, have problems interacting and communicating with others. Autism appears before the third birthday, causing children to act inappropriately, often repeating behaviors over long periods of time. For example, some children bang their heads, rock, or spin objects. Symptoms of autism range from mild to severe. Children with autism may have a very limited awareness of others and are at increased risk for other mental disorders. Studies suggest that autism affects 10 to 12 of every 10,000 children.
Young people with schizophrenia have psychotic periods that may involve hallucinations, withdrawal from others, and loss of contact with reality. Other symptoms include delusional or disordered thoughts and an inability to experience pleasure. Schizophrenia occurs in about five of every 1,000 children.
Treatment, Support Services, and Research
Now, more than ever before, there is hope for young people with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Most of the symptoms and distress associated with adolescent mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders can be alleviated with timely and appropriate treatment and supports.
In addition, researchers are working to gain new scientific insights that will lead to better treatments and cures for mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Innovative studies also are exploring new ways of delivering services to prevent and treat these disorders. Research efforts are expected to lead to more effective use of existing treatments so children and their families can live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Many of these research studies are funded by Federal agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the:
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Related activities are taking place within the:
Adolescent Mortality and Risky Behaviors
Compared with younger children, adolescents ages 15 to 19 have much higher mortality rates. Adolescents display risky behavior and are much more likely to die from injuries sustained from motor vehicle traffic accidents or firearms. This difference illustrates the importance of looking separately at mortality rates and causes of death among teenagers ages 15 to 19.
Injury and Violence
An injury is defined as unintentional or intentional damage to the body resulting from acute exposure to thermal, mechanical, electrical, or chemical energy or from the absence of such essentials as heat or oxygen (SAMHSA, 2002). Injuries include unintentional injuries such as those caused by motor vehicle crashes and fires as well as intentional injuries such as violence and suicide. Violence is the threatened or actual use of physical force or power against another person, against oneself, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, or deprivation.
Injuries requiring medical attention, or resulting in restricted activity, affect more than 20 million children and adolescents (250 per 1,000 persons) and cost $17 billion annually for medical treatment (Grunbaum, Kann, Kinchen, Williams, Ross, Lowry, et al., 2002). In the United States, injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for people aged 1 to 34 years. Approximately 70% of all deaths among adolescents aged 10-24 years are attributed to injuries from only four causes: motor vehicle crashes (31%), all other unintentional injuries (12%), homicide (15%), and suicide (12%). Highly associated with these injuries are adolescent behaviors such as physical fights, carrying weapons, and not using seatbelts. In 2001, 14% of high school students never or rarely wore a seat belt when riding in a car, 17% had carried a weapon in the past 30 days, and 33% had been in a fight in the past 30 days. Changing the environment, individual behavior, products, social norms, legislation, and governmental and institutional policy can prevent injuries. Up to 90% of unintentional injuries can be prevented.
Adolescents are more likely than older drivers to underestimate the dangers in hazardous situations, and they have less experience coping with such situations. Adolescents are more likely than older drivers to speed, run red lights, make illegal turns, ride with an intoxicated driver, and drive after using alcohol or drugs.
An estimated 302,100 women and 92,700 men are forcibly raped each year in the United States. More than half of the female rape victims were less than 18 years of age when they were first raped (SAMHSA, 2001).
The use of alcohol and other drugs has an enormous impact on the physical, mental and social health of the nation's youth. Alcohol use is a factor in approximately half of all deaths from motor vehicle accidents and from intentional injuries. Alcohol use has also been linked to physical fights, academic and occupational problems, and illegal behavior. Long-term alcohol misuse is associated with liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological damage. Dependence on alcohol and other drugs is also associated with psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety and antisocial personality disorder. Drug use contributes directly and indirectly to the HIV epidemic, and alcohol and drug use contribute markedly to infant morbidity and mortality.
Unfortunately, substance use among high school students is high. Since 1991, current use of alcohol has remained steady at about half of all high school students with 30% of all 9th-12th grade students reporting episodic heavy drinking.
Source: Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The YRBS is an in-school survey of students in grades 9 through 12. Students completed self-administered questionnaires in their classrooms. In 2005, the national sample consisted of 13,917 responses from 159 schools. In 1991, the national sample consisted of 12,272 responses from schools.
Current marijuana use increased from 15% in 1991 to 24% in 2001. At all levels of blood alcohol concentration, the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash is greater for adolescents than for drivers who are older (IIHS 2000). In 2002, 29% of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking alcohol (NHTSA 2003). Analysis of data from 1991–1997 found that, consistently, more than one in three teens reported they had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol in the past month. One in six reported having driven after drinking alcohol within the same one-month time period (Everett 2001). In 2002, among adolescent drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes after drinking and driving, 77% were unrestrained (NHTSA 2003).
In 2000, the death rate for adolescents ages 15 to 19 was 67 deaths per 100,000. Overall, the rate has declined substantially since 1980, despite a period of increase between 1986 and 1991. Injury, which includes homicide, suicide, and unintentional injuries, continues to account for more than 3 of 4 deaths among adolescents. After injuries, additional leading causes of death for adolescents include cancer, heart disease, and birth defects.
Five Leading Causes of Death
and Number of Deaths
United States, 2001, Ages 5 to 19
Unintentional Injury
Congenital Abnormalities
(CDC, 2001)
Five Leading Causes of Injury Death
and Number of Injury Deaths
Fire/Burn
Motor Vehicle Related Deaths
Among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years, 70% of unintentional injury deaths are due to motor vehicle accidents. Traffic-related injuries also include those sustained while walking, riding a bicycle, or riding a motorcycle. Among bicycle-related deaths, 83% are caused by collisions with motor vehicles. In 2000, motor vehicle traffic-related injuries accounted for 25 of the 67 deaths per 100,000 youth ages 15 to 19 (37 percent).
Motor vehicle injuries were the leading cause of death among adolescents for each year between 1980 and 2000, but the motor vehicle death rate declined by more than one-third during the time period. In 1980, motor vehicle traffic-related deaths among adolescents ages 15 to 19 occurred almost three times as often as firearm injuries (intentional and unintentional). By 2000, the rate of motor vehicle traffic-related deaths was less than double that of firearm injuries. Motor vehicle and firearm injury deaths are both more common among male than among female adolescents. In 2000, the motor vehicle traffic death rate for males was nearly twice the rate for females; and the firearm death rate among males was eight times that for females. In 2001, 43% of the teen motor vehicle deaths occurred between 9 pm and 6 am (IIHS 2003).
Firearm Related Deaths
In 2000, firearm injuries accounted for 13 of the 67 deaths per 100,000 youth ages 15 to 19 (19 percent). Most of the increase in firearm injury deaths between 1983 and 1993 resulted from an increase in homicides. The firearm homicide rate among youth ages 15 to 19 more than tripled from 5 to 18 per 100,000 between 1983 and 1993. At the same time, the firearm suicide rate rose from 5 to 7 per 100,000.
Deaths from firearm injuries among adolescents declined between 1994 and 2000, particularly among Black and Hispanic males. From 1994 to 2000, the firearm homicide rates for Black and Hispanic adolescent males declined substantially; from 126 to 52 per 100,000 for Black males, and from 49 to 22 per 100,000 for Hispanic males.
Firearm injuries were the most common cause of death among Black males. Black males were more than twice as likely to die from a firearm injury as from a motor vehicle traffic injury. Deaths from firearm suicides were more common than deaths from firearm homicides among White, non-Hispanic adolescents, while the reverse is found for Black and Hispanic adolescent males.
Homicide and Suicide
In the United States, minority males bear most of the burden of homicide victimization. In 2001, among males aged 15 to 19 years, the homicide rate was 3.9 per 100,000 among whites; 6.9 per 100,000 among Asian/Pacific Islanders; 15.8 per 100,000 among American Indian/Alaskan Natives; 23.8 per 100,000 among Hispanics; and 59.9 per 100,000 among Blacks. The United States child homicide rate, 2.6 per 100,000 for children less than 15 years of age, is five times greater than the combined rate of 25 other industrialized countries (CDC, 2000).
School Policy and Environment
During one study, done by SHPPS (2001).60.4% of states and 50.6% of districts provided model policies on accident or unintentional injury prevention. 58.3% of states and 77.1% of districts have policies on the inspection or maintenance of playground facilities and equipment.
Percentage of States and Districts with Policies on Wearing Appropriate Protective Gear, and Percentage of Schools Requiring Students to Wear Appropriate Protective Gear When Engaged in Selected Activities (SHPPS, 2001)
States with policies
Districts with policies
Lab activities (photography, chemistry, biology, or other science classes)
Physical activities during physical education
Wood shop or metal shop
School requiring protective gear
Among teachers of required health education, elementary school teachers who provided accident and injury prevention education spent a median of 5 hours per school year teaching the topic, middle/junior high school teachers spent a median of 4 hours, and senior high school teachers spent a median of 5 hours.
During the two years preceding the study (SHPPS, 2001):
39.6% of states and 40.0% of districts provided funding for or offered staff development on accident or unintentional injury prevention education to health education teachers.
22.9% of elementary school classes, 30.2% of required health education courses in middle/junior high schools, and 34.3% of required health education courses in senior high schools had a teacher who received staff development on accident or unintentional injury prevention education.
Percentage of Schools Teaching Topics and Skills Related to Accident or Unintentional Injury Prevention in at Least One Required Class or Course, by Topic and Skill (SHPPS, 2001)
Middle/junior
First aid or CPR
Road or transportation safety
Use of protective equipment for biking, skating, or other sports
Communication skills to avoid accidents
Decision-making skills to avoid accidents
Goal-setting skills to protect oneself from accidents
Resisting peer pressure that would increase risk of accidents
Tobacco use, including cigarette smoking, cigar smoking, and smokeless tobacco use, is the single leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Each year smoking causes more than 400,000 premature deaths and 5 million years of potential life lost. The estimated direct and indirect costs associated with smoking in the United States exceed $68 billion annually. Approximately 80% of tobacco use occurs for the first time among young people less than 18 years of age.
In 2001, 29% of high schools students reported current cigarette use and 15% reported current cigar use. In addition, 8% of high school students and 19% of white male high school students reported current smokeless tobacco use.
Each day in the United States, approximately 4,400 youths aged 12-17 try their first cigarette (SAMHSA, 2002). If current patterns of smoking behaviors continue, an estimated 6.4 million of today’s children can be expected to die prematurely from a smoking-related disease. Although the percentage of high school students who smoke has declined in recent years, rates remain high: 29% of high school students report current cigarette usage (smoked cigarettes ≥ 1 of the preceding 30 days) (Grunbaum, et al., 2002).
Non-Hispanic white and Hispanic students (32% and 27%, respectively) are significantly more likely than black students (15%) to report current cigarette use (Grunbaum, et al., 2002). Nationwide, 64% of students have tried cigarette smoking. Male students (66%) are significantly more likely than female students (62%) to have tried cigarette smoking (Grunbaum, et al., 2002). 22% of high school students have smoked a whole cigarette before age 13 (Grunbaum, et al., 2002). 15% of students report having smoked cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars in the past month. 8% of high school students use smokeless tobacco (15% males and 2% females). Adolescents who use smokeless tobacco (snuff, chewing tobacco) are more likely than nonusers to become cigarette smokers.
Cigarette smoking by young people leads to serious health problems, including cough and phlegm production, and increase in the number and severity of respiratory illnesses, decreased physical fitness (both performance and endurance), adverse changes in blood cholesterol levels, and reduced rates of lung growth and function. Cigarette smoking causes heart disease; stroke; chronic lung disease; and cancers of the lung, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and bladder. Use of smokeless tobacco causes cancers of the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus; gum recession; and an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Smoking cigars increases the risk of oral, laryngeal, esophageal, and lung cancers.
The younger people begin smoking cigarettes, the more likely they are to become strongly addicted to nicotine. Several studies have found nicotine to be addictive in ways similar to heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. Because the typical tobacco user receives daily and repeated doses of nicotine, addiction is more common among tobacco users than among other drug users. Of all addictive behaviors, cigarette smoking is the one most likely to become established during adolescence. Of high school students who are current smokers, 57% have tried to quit in the past month (Grunbaum, et al., 2002).
All states have laws making it illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18, yet among students who report current cigarette use, 19% purchase their cigarettes in a store or gas station. Approximately two thirds of students (67%) who purchased or attempted to purchase cigarettes in a store or gas station were not asked to show proof of age (Grunbaum, et al., 2002). Cigarette companies spend more than $9.5 billion each year to promote their products, and in 1998 tobacco companies spent nearly $7 billion to advertise and promote cigarettes (FTC, 2000). Children and teenagers constitute the majority of all new smokers, and the industry’s advertising and promotion campaigns often have special appeal to these young people (CDC, 2000). 88% of young smokers (ages 12-17) choose the three most heavily advertised brands: Marlboro, Camel, and Newport (SAMHSA, 2001).
Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke
More than 6 million youth are exposed to secondhand smoke daily, and more than 10 million youth ages 12-18 live in a household with at least one smoker. Twenty-two percent of middle school students and 24% of high school students are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home (Farrelly, Chen, Thomas & Healton, 2001). Those most affected by secondhand smoke are children. Because their bodies are still developing, exposure to the poisons in secondhand smoke puts children in danger of severe respiratory diseases and can hinder the growth of their lungs (CDC, 2003). Secondhand smoke exposure during childhood and adolescence may increase lung cancer risk as adult, increase new cases of asthma or worsen existing asthma.
Healthy eating is associated with reduced risk for many diseases. Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and can prevent health problems such as obesity, dental caries, and iron deficiency anemia. Most young people are not following Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations.
Unhealthy diet and physical activity patterns together account for at least 300,000 deaths among adults in the United States each year; only tobacco use contributes to more deaths (HHS, 2001). Diet is a known risk factor for the three leading causes of death heart disease, cancer, and stroke; as well as for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. In 2000, the cost of obesity in the United States was over $117 billion, of which $61 billion was for direct medical costs and $56 billion was for indirect costs (HHS, 2001).
Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as adult onset diabetes, has become increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents as rates of overweight and obesity rise. A CDC study estimated that one in three American children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime (Venkat, Boyle, Thompson, Sorensen, & Williamson, 2003).
Early indicators of atherosclerosis, the most common cause of heart disease, begin during childhood and adolescence. Atherosclerosis is related to blood cholesterol levels, which are associated with dietary habits (Kavey, Daniels, Lauer, Atkins, Hayman, & Taubert, 2003). Osteoporosis, a disease where bones become fragile and can break easily, is associated with inadequate intake of calcium. Children and adolescents who consume adequate amounts of calcium through dairy products and other calcium rich foods will have stronger bones and may have reduced risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.
Research suggests that not having breakfast can affect children’s intellectual performance (Kleinman, Hall, Green, Korzec-Ramirez, Patton, Pagano & Murphy, 2002). The percentage of young people who eat breakfast decreases with age; while 92% of children ages 6–11 eat breakfast, only 75–78% of adolescents ages 12–19 report eating breakfast. A study among inner city children at nutritional risk showed that participants in a school breakfast program increased their nutrient intake and were more likely to improve their academic and psychosocial functioning than their counterparts who did not participate in the program (Kleinman, et al., 2002).
Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) at the 95th percentile or higher. Almost 9 million children and adolescents in the United States aged 6–19 years are overweight (CDC, 2001). The prevalence of overweight among children aged 6–11 has more than doubled in the past 20 years, increasing from 7% in 1980 to 15% in 2000. Overweight among adolescents aged 12–19 has tripled in the same time period, rising from 5% to 15% (CDC, 2001). Overweight children and adolescents are more likely to become overweight or obese adults ;( Micic, 2001) (Ferraro, Thorpe & Wilkinson, 2003) one study showed that children who became overweight by age 8 were more severely obese as adults (Freedman, Kahn, Dietz, Srinivasan, & Berenson, 2001).
While the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased in all segments of the U.S. population, disparities exist based on race and ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status. For example, overweight is particularly common among minority groups and those with a lower family income (HHS, 2001).
Prevalence of Overweight
among Children and Adolescents in the United States
1999–2000(CDC, 2001)
Children (Ages 6 to 11)
Adolescents (Ages 12 to 19)
Black (Non-Hispanic)
Mexican American
Less than 40% of children and adolescents in the United States meet the U.S. dietary guidelines for saturated fat, fruit, and vegetable intake. Of U.S. youth aged 6-19, 67% exceed dietary guidelines recommendations for fat intake, and 72% exceed recommendations for saturated fat intake. Only 21% of high school students eat the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables (when fried potatoes and potato chips are excluded).
Percent of Children and Adolescents Who Meet Dietary Guidelines, 1994–1996
Only 39% of children ages 2–17 meet the USDA’s dietary recommendation for fiber (found primarily in dried beans and peas, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) (Lin, Guthrie & Frazao, 2001). Eighty-five percent of adolescent females do not consume enough calcium. During the last 25 years, consumption of milk, the largest source of calcium, has decreased 36% among adolescent females (Cavadini, Siega-Riz & Popkin, 2000). Additionally, from 1978 to 1998, average daily soft drink consumption almost doubled among adolescent girls, increasing from 6 oz to 11 oz, and almost tripled among adolescent boys, from 7 oz to 19 oz (USDA, 2003).
A large number of high school students use unsafe methods to lose or maintain weight. A nationwide survey found that during the 30 days preceding the survey 13.5% of students went without eating for one or more days; 5.4% had vomited or taken laxatives; and 9.2% had taken diet pills, powders, or liquids without the advice of their physicians (Grunbaum, Kann, Kinchen, Williams, Ross, Lowry & Kolbe, 2001).
Unprotected sexual intercourse and multiple sex partners place young people at risk for HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and pregnancy. Each year, approximately three million cases of STDs occur among teenagers and approximately 860,000 teenagers become pregnant. In 2001, 46% of high school students had ever had sexual intercourse, 14% of high school students had four or more sex partners during their lifetime, and 42% of sexually active high school students did not use a condom at last sexual intercourse (The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS):
Among teachers of required health education, elementary school teachers who provided STD prevention education spent a median of 1 hour per school year teaching the topic, middle/junior high school teachers spent a median of 2 hours, and senior high school teachers spent a median of 3 hours (SHPPS, 2001)
During the two years preceding the SHPPS study (2001):
92.2% of states and 47.5% of districts provided funding for or offered staff development on STD prevention education to health education teachers.
13.6% of elementary school classes, 31.8% of required health education courses in middle/ junior high schools, and 46.5% of required health education courses in senior high schools had a teacher who received staff development on STD prevention education.
Percentage of Schools Teaching Topics and Skills
Related to HIV Prevention in at Least One
Required Class or Course, by Topic and Skill (SHPPS, 2001)
Abstinence as the best way to avoid pregnancy, HIV, or STDs
Condom efficacy
How HIV is transmitted
How to correctly use a condom
Risks associated with having multiple sexual partners
Communication skills related to sexual behaviors
Decision-making skills related to sexual behaviors
Goal-setting skills related to sexual behaviors
Resisting peer pressure to engage in sexual behavior
Health Services (SHPPS, 2001)
31.4% of states and 47.4% of districts require that districts or schools provide one-on-one or small-group discussions on HIV prevention to students when needed (not including classroom instruction). 12.0% of states and 15.4% of districts require districts or schools to provide HIV testing and counseling services to students when needed. 30.4% of districts have arrangements with organizations or professionals not located on school property to provide one-on-one or small-group discussions on HIV prevention to students when needed, and 25.2% have arrangements to provide HIV testing and counseling. 2.0% of middle/junior high and 4.1% of senior high schools make condoms available to students as part of standard health services.
Healthcare professionals have an additional challenge in dealing with adolescent patients because of their developmental stage as well as their propensity for risky behavior. The healthcare professional needs to understand the adolescent’s special circumstances when working with an adolescent client.
Cavadini C, Siega-Riz AM, Popkin BM. (2000). US adolescent food intake trends from 1965 to 1996. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 83(1):18–24.
CDC. (2003). Secondhand smoke exposure among middle and high school students—Texas, 2001. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2003. 52(08):152–4.
CDC, (2003). National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Office of Statistics and Programming. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). Retrieved 11/26/03 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/
CDC. (2001). National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): NHANES 1999-2000. Prevalence of overweight among U.S. children and adolescents.
CDC. (2000). Reducing Tobacco Use, A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
CDC. (2005). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS):2005 National, State, and Local Data. Retrieved 1/3/07 from cdc.gov/YRBSS
Danseco ER, Miller TR, & Spicer RS. (2000). Incidence and costs of 1987-1994 childhood injuries: demographic breakdowns. Pediatrics. 105(2).
Enns CW, Mickle SM, Goldman JD. (2002). Trends in food and nutrient intakes by children in the United States. Family Economics and Nutrition Review. 14(2):56–68.
Farrelly MC, Chen J., Thomas KY, Healton CG. (2001) National Youth Tobacco Survey, Legacy First Look Report 6. Youth Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke. Washington, D.C.: American Legacy Foundation. May 2001.
Ferraro KF, Thorpe RJ Jr, Wilkinson JA. (2003). The life course of severe obesity: Does childhood overweight matter? Journal of Gerontology. 58B(2):S110–S119.
Freedman DS, Khan LK, Dietz WH, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS. (2001). Relationship of childhood obesity to coronary heart disease risk factors in adulthood: the Bogalusa heart study. Pediatrics. 108(3):712–18.
Grunbaum JA, Kann L, Kinchen SA, Williams B, Ross JG, Lowry R, Kolbe L. (2002). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2001. Journal of School Health. 72(8):313–28.
Kavey RW, Daniels SR, Lauer RM, Atkins DL, Hayman LL, Taubert K. (2003). American Heart Association guidelines for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease beginning in childhood. Journal of Pediatrics. 142(4):368–372.
Klein, JD, MD. (2005), Adolescent Pregnancies Current Trends and Issues. Pediatrics Vol. 116 No. 1 July 2005, pp. 281-286 (doi:10.1542/peds.2005-0999)
Kleinman RE, Hall S, Green H, Korzec-Ramirez K, Patton K, Pagano ME, Murphy JM. (2002). Diet, breakfast, and academic performance in children. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism. 46(suppl):24–30.
Lin BH, Guthrie J, Frazao E. (2001). American children’s diets not making the grade. Food Review. 24(2):8–17.
Micic D. (2001). Obesity in children and adolescents—a new epidemic? Consequences in adult life. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism. 14(suppl 5):1345–52.
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.(2004). Fact Sheet: Recent Trends in Teen Pregnancy, Sexual Activity, and Contraceptive Use. Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy; 2004. Retrieved 1/3/07 from,: www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/reading/pdf/rectrend.pdf.
Quinlan KP, Brewer RD, Sleet DA, & Dellinger AM. (2000). Characteristics of child passenger deaths and injuries involving drinking drivers. JAMA 283(17):2249-52.
SHPPS (2001). SHPPS 2000. Journal of School Health, Volume 71, Number 7, Disease Control and Prevention, Publication no. 172837
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
(2002). Summary of findings from the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse: Volume II. Technical appendices and selected data tables. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002;NHSDA Series H-18;DHHS publication no. (SMA) 02-3759.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (SAMHSA). (2001). Summary of findings from the 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 2001.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (HHS). (2000). Healthy People 2010. 2nd ed. 2 vols. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2000.
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2001). The Surgeon General’s call to action to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General.
Venkat Narayan KM, Boyle JP, Thompson TJ, Sorensen SW, Williamson DF. (2003). Lifetime risk for diabetes mellitus in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association. 290(14):1884–1890.
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50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do (Paperback)
By National Geographic, Joe Yogerst
During three decades as a editor, writer, and photographer, JOE YOGERST has lived and worked on four continents—Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. His writing has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Islands magazine, the New York Times (Paris), and numerous National Geographic books. During that time, he has won four Lowell Thomas Awards, including one for Long Road South, his National Geographic book about driving the Pan American Highway from Texas to Argentina.
Publisher: National Geographic
Publication Date: February 7th, 2017
Series: 5,000 Ideas
Travel / United States
Travel / Canada
Travel / Reference
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My Treatment of Being a Trump Supporter 65
Editorial, Stacey School News
You may have seen a boy, about 5’11, white, dirty blonde hair and blue/green eyes wearing a hat featuring the words “TRUMP” and “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.” Surprise, surprise, that was me.
The one thing that was a big surprise to me was the treatment I was receiving from fellow classmates.
Recently, I ran a bit of an experiment to see how students and staff would react to a pro-Trump student walking the halls. The results made me both proud and disgusted.
I’m going to talk about the positive first. Many students would ask me why I support our president. I would tell them and they would tell me how they felt. That made me happy to see young Americans engage in discussion about politics without having to cause trouble. It was refreshing after seeing leftist harass and outright assault people with a different political view. It opened my eyes a little bit. But then there were the majority of cases.
These cases involved threats, racial slurs, and harassment. One example included me walking out on the field, minding my own business. Then a boy proceeded to get in my face and yell “F*@K TRUMP” over and over again. (Keep in mind that the lunch supervisors proceeded to watch in amusement).
I ask this boy, “Why?” I was trying to engage in a simple conversation with him but he refused. This continued to happen until I just walked away. He just sat there and laughed with his friends.
A second example is that there is a rumor a group of boys is supposed to jump me. There isn’t much to this as they have done nothing yet, but I imagine that they only try to sound tough.
Thirdly – this is the one that really makes me mad – students participated in calling me racial slurs. Calling me a “cracker” on numerous occasions. They would yell it out as I was walking by, eating lunch and hanging out with friends. It was sickening.
I hope this behavior changes. It paints this generation in a bad light. Good news is that I had to retire the hat as I have finally gotten a haircut. I might bust it back out it in high school, who knows? For now, we must say our goodbyes to the not so missed hat.
Avengers: End Game Review, Non-Spoiler Review
The End of Stacey’s Broadcast Journalism
Gavin Lopez says:
sick broski
The thing is, you can’t assume that all democrats/liberals go through every day. And maybe it’s a good lesson for you to see what it’s like to be a minority like me. Not like you’ve done anything negative, it’s just a good learning experience that honestly everyone should experience. It really does make you realize how some people are disgusting and how some are amazing.
Aiden Kirk says:
First of all Gavin you always play the victim. Stop it. Second he was talking about leftists. People who identify themselves as that. He was not saying something such as “all leftists want to assault trump supporters.”
I am not playing the victim. The truth is, I go through harassment every day that not everyone sees. There are people that have done stuff to me that I can’t even talk about on here. It seems very ignorant when you make the assumption that I’m playing the victim. I’m really not. If you were in my shoes for a day you would know. But you literally can’t. Get your facts straight before you assume I’m playing the victim.
Further, what land do you come from that gay people aren’t harassed daily? The world isn’t fully accepting yet. You need to open your mind just a little bit more.
Ya Gavin I know gays are harrassed daily. But Gays aren’t the only ones being harrassed. I’m sorry if I offended you.
I get it, but we have it just as bad as everyone else. I never said we were the only ones. I just said that I´m one of the small minorities that do have to go through harassment and stuff. Sorry if I wasn´t making myself clear.
Although, I think we as a nation are more accepting towards gays now than people from the 18th and 19th century were. So I’d say progress has been made. We’re also a lot more accepting towards people of different races, genders, religions, and I think gender preferences now. There is that less than 1% who are “supremacists” but I would argue America as a whole isn’t like that.
Absolutely not true. There are 1000 kids at this school, for example. I can name at least 20 of them that have harassed me ever in some way because of my sexuality. There are at least 20 more that I have probably forgotten about. Along with that line, there´s probably another 100 or so who are homophobic but just don´t know me or just keep it inside and mentally judge me.
Dylan Weber says:
There is a difference between getting bullied and being oppressed. When black people were slaves, being forced to work under the boiling sun with extremely high heat with no pay, that was oppression. Being in middle school and people making fun of you IS NOT OPPRESSION.
But the rest of the world, or the LGBT world, deal with way worse. Depending on where you’re from, it’s normal to walk down the street and be called specific slurs or have someone of the LGBT youth to be killed. I’m sorry if you don’t think that’s oppression since its what’s happening and what Gavin will have to live with until our society is okay with people being different. Since homosexual sex and relationships are still illegal in “69 countries, people can be penalized with life imprisonment (Parkinson).” Just because nobody has been murdered for their sexuality, race or gender doesn’t mean it isn’t actually happening. I still fear going outside, since I live in an area where they’re racist towards white people and they’re extremely homophobic. Bullying reaches a certain point where it isn’t “bullying;” when it becomes borderline harassment, I can tell something’s a problem. But as a straight white male, this doesn’t automatically come to mind, does it?
As one of the straight white males you would be referring to Brooke, I would hope you would be more respectful in this conversation. I have not made any comments about YOUR sex, race, religion, or sexual preference. To stay respectful, I recommend you don’t make it seem like white straight males are inconsiderate towards others. I guarantee not all of us are like that.
You have no idea, Dylan. Being sexually harassed every day isn´t bullying. It IS oppression.
Aiden, she never said straight white males in general, she said a straight white male who has never experienced the fear of walking down the street holding someone´s hand of the same sex shouldn´t be talking. You don´t have a say in the conversation because you´re inexperienced, you have NO clue. You´re both making assumptions of what it´s like to be us. Don´t, and educate yourself. Talk to someone who is in the LGBTQ+ community before you assume that we´re not oppressed. Once again, you have no clue.
Actually my aunt’s part of the LGBTQ+ society so stop assuming that everyone who’s white and strait has a perfect life. Chris says he likes guns too. It’s not relevant but he wanted me to write it. Also, sexual harassment isn’t what we’re talking about . YOU. ARE. NOT. SEXUALLY. HARRASSED.
You have no idea, sis. Your aunt must have a pretty welcoming family because everyone that I know that is LGBTQ+ gets haarassed and name called. It´s really offensive when you basically say I´m equal to everyone else, but I´m not. You can´t take one opinion and use it as your whole spectrum of knowledge. Just because your aunt says she´s not harassed daily, doesn´t mean everyone else is. Do you know why you think I´m not a minority? Right, because you don´t even know much about me. You don´t see me being touched, harassed, name-called, mocked, etc. You don´t know. So please end this conversation before you offend me more than you already have.
You still haven’t answered my question. What are EXAMPLES of you being harassed and oppressed? I would like to know so if I’m doing it, I can stop it. Also, every human is equal. No one is better than anyone else. Ever read the preamble of the Declaration of Independence? We believe that all men (as in the species, not the gender) are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Also, If you look in your planner, there is a paragraph dedicated to Sexual Harassment. They define it as “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s academic status, (2) submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for an academic decision affecting that person, or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment.” Should you ACTUALLY be sexually harassed according to this definition, you’re supposed to report it to the principal.
I do not mean to offend you and am trying not to. I understand if this topic is one you no longer want to discuss.
I don´t feel comfortable explaining what has happened to me just know that it falls under one of those definitions. When something like that happens you have to keep it to yourself. You don´t understand because it´s never happened to you. Don´t come up with a solution when you´re completely ignorant of the situation. Also, the Declaration of Independence and the Stacey planner doesn´t control everyone´s life. Just because they say that you can´t sexually harass someone, doesn´t mean people are going to abide by it. The dress code says no crop-tops and no short shorts. Yet at least half of the female Stacey population wears these items on a regular basis. Not a valid point.
I wasn’t trying to make a solution, just showing the recommendation the school provides.
Yes, but when you are sexually harassed it´s not very easy to talk about anything.
Haileeeeee says:
Are you actually kidding me? You are basically saying that being called racial slurs or being harassed is a ‘good learning experience’ isn’t your whole speech on stopping harassment and such but here you are saying that ‘ everyone should experience’. Aren’t we taught growing up that everyone is equal, ironically enough a minority like you just comes along and says ” It really does make you realize how some people are disgusting and how some are amazing.” You don’t deserve to call yourself a minority if you all do is tear other’s and their opinions down.
Being called a “cracker” is not a racial slur. I don’t know what your definition of a racial slur is.
Apparently, you’ve never been harassed before.
I have been taught nothing from being harassed.
You’re taught that not everyone is equal.
Further explain Gavin. What did he learn?
Jack Hall says:
I’m on Dylan and Aiden’s side.
Yeah what did he learn
Ciara says:
Wow, you’re so oppressed, aren’t you???
who are you talking to?
Nah, not really.
“Thirdly – this is the one that really makes me mad – students participated in calling me racial slurs. Calling me a ‘cracker’ on numerous occasions. They would yell it out as I was walking by, eating lunch and hanging out with friends. It was sickening.” You really do make it seem like you’re oppressed. Don’t say that, because you have no idea what it’s like to ACTUALLY be oppressed by society.
Gavin, you’re not oppressed. You literally have a club for gay people.
Pardon? My daily harassment isn´t oppression. Gotcha. You wouldn´t know what oppression is.
And the reason for GSA is a safe place for oppressed people. What do you think the purpose is? To have a club that excludes everyone only because we like a certain gender? NO, it´s because we ARE oppressed and in the club, we talk about how to deal with certain situations. Maybe if you lined up your facts before attacking me and GSA, you wouldn´t be so ignorant about the situation.
Gavin, could you explain examples about your daily harassment and examples about your being oppressed? I would like to know what you consider each of these so I can stop if I’m accidently doing it.
Also, Ciara´s point is that you made it seem like you were oppressed. Not my words, hers. Just letting you know what she was trying to say.
Then why write a whole article about it?
You basically wrote an article about how you were being discriminated against, and now you say that you weren’t? Pick a side.
An Tran says:
“Ah the horror of nightsoil, hither we wend again.”
Well said gavin
Das Soup says:
This is epic
I know right
Today, May 17, 2019
Minecraft is 10 years old, can we not talk politics and be happy for this game’s 10th anniversary?
but thank you for the extremly useless fact
TheKingGeek says:
That fact is not useless if you actually know what Minecraft is.
Lets listen to An
I´m good sis.
come on listen to An was right celebrate minecraft not gay oppression.
Well many people here still think that the wall isn’t going to help people
It won´t
Ethan Vo says:
we live in a society
I know the fire of this article has kind of burnt out, but I just wanted to say that someone calling you a ¨cracker¨ isn´t a racial slur. A racial slur is calling a person of color a brownie. You really shouldn´t be so dramatic when somebody calls you a cracker. There are people that literally get beat up, murdered, and jumped because of their race, religion, or sexual orientation. So please don´t complain about someone calling you a cracker. We have it so much worse than you.
PJ, the kid who is in SMS, COME ON APPROVE MY MESSAGES says:
Just because people have it worse, doesn’t mean that it’s okay. A racial slur is a racial slur no matter the race. “Cracker” and “Brownie” are on the same level when it comes to slurs, the only difference is to who it’s being said to. I don’t see a reason why “cracker” isn’t a racial slur but “brownie” is. Color or not, they’re demeaning words of a race.
Actually, Gavin calling someone a cracker is a racial slur. I love how you seem to think you know everything about racial slurs and are one to say that in order for it to be a ‘racial slur’ it has to be directed at a person color but how would you know? You aren’t a person of color, and any type of slur or insult directed at someone because of the color of their skin whether it be white or brown, or their race is racist.
And furthermore, you act like you are the biggest minority there is. Gavin, you are white, you don’t face much racism or oppression. Maybe because you are openly gay but every LGBTQ+ person deals with homophobes. You put yourself on this high horse even though you constantly talk about how people bring you down with their slurs and such. Plus, I see no problem with Dylan being a Trump supporter, just because I don’t support Trump doesn’t mean I’m going to berate him for doing so. People can scream and shout about how they support Hillary over Trump and you never hear someone calling them racial slurs. If they are allowed to show their support for Hillary or Bernie or whoever then why can’t he be open about his support for Trump.
While I completely agree that being called a cracker is nothing compared to the plight that African Americans face all the time in other countries and even in America, they are both racist. Just because it’s not as bad doesn’t mean that it’s okay.
I agree with Avi. Thx
Yes, but don´t overreact when someone calls you a cracker. There are literally people being sexually harassed and murdered because of their race and what not. A little overdramatic. Just my opinion tho.
Ah yes “cracker” isn’t a racial slur. Do you know where the word cracker comes from? When white people were beating their slaves with whips it would make a crack sound. Therefore, whites were unjustly labelled “Crackers”. In plain terms when I am called this, they claim that I have slaves and beat them. It awes me that you have the audacity to say something like that. People even agree with you. Stop saying you’re “Oppressed” because you’re not. Having some people say things about you in MIDDLE SCHOOL doesn’t mean you are oppressed. You play the victim and blow things out of proportion. Also, you’re not sexually harassed. Sexual harassment is when a woman is groped or touched in a sexual way without consent or when not appropriate. In elementary school, people made fun of me for being fat. Does that mean I’m oppressed? NO. Suck it up. It is the real world and you will face people that make you mad or make fun of you. Maybe homosexuals in a whole are oppressed, sure. But you specifically? Absolutely not.
Yes, that´s where the word originated from, but today, it doesn´t mean the same thing. Times change, sis.
Yes, me. Unless you stalk me, you have no idea what happens every day. Also, women aren´t the only ones who can be sexually harassed. You need to open your mind a little bit more.
I agree with you gavin. ❤
Kevin Durantula says:
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Cricket/News Today
BCCI To Award T20I Specialists Annual Contracts; Minimum Qualification Set At 10 Games
by Yash Mittal
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly (Credits - Twitter)
Any cricketer who has represented the Indian team in a minimum of 10 T20 Internationals will now be eligible for an annual contract from the country’s apex cricketing body: the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Earlier, the BCCI used to award its annual contracts to only those cricketers who featured in Tests and One-day Internationals but, according to a report in the Indian Express, the board has now decided to change its policy of annual contracts.
Washington Sundar attends the camp. (Credits – BCCI)
It is worth noting that during the tenure of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, the BCCI had declined to give any weightage to players who played a handful of T20 games. Before that, the BCCI followed the policy of handing over annual contracts to any player who turned up for the country in a season.
This policy was subsequently amended by the COA, who decided to hand over contracts to cricketers who have played a minimum of three Tests or seven ODIs. An exception was made last year when Washington Sundar was handed the annual contract as a reward for his exploits in the shortest format of the game.
“The board has decided to change the old clause and add a new one where a player who’s played a minimum ten T20 games in a year can be given a central contract. In the new contract signed by players, this clause was included. If there’s any specialist T20 player, he should not be deprived of a central contract because his speciality is the shortest format,” a source was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
For the uninitiated, the BCCI hands over annual contracts under four categories: A+ gets Rs 7 crores, A gets Rs 5 crores, B gets Rs 3 crores followed by C who gets Rs 1 crore.
Also Read- Money-Making Factor Is There But Players Should Not Forget Our Tradition: Kapil Dev
Team India
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
Yash Mittal
Just a student of this beautiful game called cricket. Writer. Storyteller.
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Kevin Pietersen Gives A Warning To Team India Ahead Of The England Series
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Multifamily Stumbled in NYC, While the Rest of the US Did OK
What the @*$# Are You Looking At?: New York was always seen as a safe haven for multifamily investment, but thanks to tough new rent laws, the rest of the country isn’t looking too bad.
By Nicholas Rizzi January 21, 2020 1:00 pm
Multifamily investment in New York has stumbled thanks to new rent laws, while the rest of the country did O.K. in 2019. Illustration: Christophe Hitz
Low vacancy rate. Burgeoning population. Expensive real estate. The Big Apple’s multifamily market has always been the champion compared to the rest of the country, but the recently passed rent regulations have the city on the ropes and in danger of losing its title.
Multifamily stumbled in other parts of the country in 2019 but was still on track to pose record highs for sales volume, according to a CBRE report.
However, New York City’s multifamily investment sales had a disastrous 2019, with both dollar volume and the number of buildings sold significantly down from 2018. Numbers from brokerages, each offering their own glimpse of the market, are still being compiled for 2019, but Commercial Observer looked at the figures from several and saw a New York market in decline, compared to a relatively strong national market.
“In my 20-plus-year career I’ve never seen the type of impact from government that we are seeing now,” said James Nelson, the head of Avison Young’s tri-state investment sales team. “We all agree that affordable housing is absolutely essential here in New York; we all agree there is a housing crisis. We need more housing, no one is debating that. Unfortunately, what this rent reform did was — it did not create new housing, it froze everything in time.”
Cushman & Wakefield found that total dollar volume for multifamily sales in 2019 was $9.4 billion across New York City (excluding Staten Island), down 42 percent from 2018. The total number of buildings sold also dropped 36 percent in that same time.
That drop helped drive down the total dollar volume for all property types across New York City last year, according to Nishant Shah, an associate director at C&W’s New York research team. The total amount for all asset classes was $45.5 billion in 2019, a 15 percent drop from 2018, Shah said.
“A lot of that year-over-year decline can be attributed to multifamily,” Shah said. “Both multifamily and office are the biggest drivers in New York City. They both started the first quarter last year down. As the year went on they diverged, and office ended up seeing an uptick while multifamily kept declining.”
Shah said no borough was spared from the decrease, but Queens was “the least worst” for the year and was only down 17 percent year over year for the number of properties sold.
In Manhattan alone, total dollar volume for multifamily sales was just above $2 billion, a 31 percent decrease from 2018 and a significant drop from the $12 billion high of 2015, according to Nelson.
While New York is reeling, the rest of the country was doing relatively OK. Despite an expected dip in the total transaction volume between 2018 and 2019, multifamily sales nationwide were expected to still post a record year and had the highest level of activity among the major property types, according to a CBRE report.
In the third quarter of 2019 (the latest numbers available), transaction volume totaled $129.9 billion year-to-date across the country, a 6.4 percent increase from the same period in 2018, CBRE found.
However, in the third quarter itself, transaction volume dropped by 7.3 percent year-over-year to $46 billion, according to CBRE. The third-quarter drop, along with a really strong fourth quarter in 2019, make CBRE expect that total investments in 2019 will likely fall five to 10 percent below 2018’s record of $175.9 billion.
And while New York City’s $13.8 billion in transaction volume in 2018 put it clear above every other city in the country, others started to catch up in 2019.
Los Angeles came in third for multifamily transaction volume in 2018 with $7.54 billion, close behind Dallas-Fort Worth that had $7.55 billion, according to JLL. Avison Young numbers have L.A. — which also had new rent control laws passed in October 2019 — posting $9.1 billion total in 2019, close behind NYC’s $9.4 billion. (Numbers for Dallas-Fort Worth were not available yet.)
Investors scared off by New York City’s laws are looking at cities like Dallas, and others across the country, that lack rent regulation, said Shimon Shkury, the president and founder of Ariel Property Advisors.
“Florida and a lot of [investors] are going to Dallas,” Shkury said. “Cities that have less or no regulation and that have growth.”
Nelson said he has buyers who are looking to stay more local and considering investments in New Jersey, Connecticut and Westchester, N.Y.
Several other places are considering changes to rent laws, such as Oregon, meaning investors have to pay attention to each market’s political climate more than ever before jumping in, Avison Young’s Nelson said.
“You’ve got to pay attention to the protests that are happening in the streets,” he said. “That’s something you have to factor into the decision-making process.”
And it’s the political climate that brokers blamed the drop in multifamily sales around New York City on.
In June 2019, the newly Democratic-controlled New York State legislature passed a series of rent reforms despite outcry from powerful lobbying group the Real Estate Board of New York. The laws — which amended the state’s emergency tenant protection laws — limit landlords’ ability to raise rents for building and apartment renovation in the 966,000 stabilized apartments around the city.
The initial debate over the laws caused the multifamily investment sales market to dip slightly in the first and second quarter of 2019, but things really took a drop once they were passed, C&W’s Shah said.
A PropertyShark report found that sales volume fell 76 percent year over year across the city in the month of September 2019, totaling $284 million and the lowest figure on record since at least January 2018.
The third quarter of 2019 had a dollar volume of about $1.55 billion and saw a slight uptick in the fourth quarter, mainly due to one sale, Shah said.
The fourth quarter had a total dollar volume of $2.47 billion last year, but Shah said about half of that came from L+M Development Partners and Invesco Real Estate’s $1.2 billion purchase of five former Mitchell-Lama developments in Manhattan. Both developers plan to re-introduce more than 1,800 deregulated apartments back to affordable housing as part of the deal.
However, the last quarter of 2019 had only 277 properties sold, a drop from the 295 in the third quarter, Shah said.
Despite the drop, experts haven’t counted New York City out as the champ yet.
“There’s still foreign investment, institutional investment, there’s still a confidence in New York, especially with this record office leasing,” Nelson said. “This is where the talent is, why do you think Facebook is taking 1.5 million square feet [in Hudson Yards]? … Investors are still very focused on this market.”
And while some buyers are scared off by the new laws and ditching the Big Apple, Shkury said he’s been in talks with plenty of new investors looking to jump into the multifamily market.
“For our company, the most important thing is seeing and interacting with the new capital that wants to invest in multifamily,” he said. “That is something that is going to be extremely interesting to see.”
Keywords: Ariel Property Advisors, Avison Young, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, James Nelson, Nishant Shah, Shimon Shkury
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Samuel L. Jackson Hits Back At Haters
Darpan News Desk IANS, 13 Mar, 2019
Actor Samuel L. Jackson refuses to tone down his stance against US President Donald Trump in the social media even if it costs him fans.
The "Captain Marvel" star is one of the US President's most vocal celebrity opponents since before he took office in 2016, and he won't be backing down, even though agents and managers have suggested he should dial back on the politics, reports aceshowbiz.com.
"This motherf**ker is, like, ruining the planet and all kinds of other crazy s**t and the people think that's okay It's not f**king okay. And if you're not saying anything, then you are complicit," Jackson told Esquire magazine.
"I wouldn't give a f**k if I was a garbageman and I had a Twitter account; I'd tweet that s**t out. I'm not thinking about who I am and what my job is when I do that s**t."
"I know how many motherf**kers hate me: 'I'm never going to see a Sam Jackson movie again'. F**k I care? If you never went to another movie I did in my life, I'm not going to lose any money. I already cashed that cheque. F**k you. Burn up my videotapes. I don't give a f**k."
"(People say), 'You're an actor, stick to acting'. No, motherf**ker, I'm a human being that feels a certain way. And some of this s**t does affect me, because if we don't have healthcare... and my relatives get sick, they're going to call my rich a**. I want them to have healthcare. I want them to be able to take care of themselves. This is how I feel."
But Jackson wants to make it clear he's not an impulsive tweeter: "I count to 100 some days before I hit 'send', because I know how that s**t is!".
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Rabbi Glenn Jacob (Reform)
Conversion Requirements
Brit Milah/Hatafat: No
Mikvah: Yes (Temple Israel of White Plains)
Bet Din: Yes (varies but includes a pool from rabbis, cantors, synagogue board members and Jewish educators)
Conversion Location: Somers, NY (Westchester County, New York Metro Area)
Students Accepted: Scholarship, Chai, Mitzvah
Rabbi Glenn Jacob D.D. is the executive director of the New York chapter of Interfaith Power & Light, an organization dedicated to bringing together faith and climate science to safeguard the Earth. He organizes across New York State and lobbies in both Albany and Washington D.C. He is also Jewish Student Union Director at the Interfaith Center at Adelphi University.
Before coming to Adelphi University, he served synagogues from the Deep South to Long Island for over 25 years. In the Deep South, Rabbi Jacob was a civil rights advocate on issues of church and state, reproductive rights, hate group monitoring with the Southern Poverty Law Center, and funding for public education. In Philadelphia Rabbi Jacob was the founding chair of the Interfaith Gathering of Lower Bucks County, building relations between houses of worship in an aging suburb with fresh waves of immigration. He is also an accomplished storyteller and a presenter at national conferences on Jewish Education. He presented “God in the Public Square” at TEDx at Adelphi in 2016.
Rabbi Jacob is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in philosophy. He received a Master’s Degree in Hebrew Letters, Rabbinic Ordination, and later a Doctor of Divinity from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.
Filed Under: Rabbi Tagged With: Rabbi Student Level Chai, Rabbi Student Level Mitzvah, Rabbi Student Level Scholarship, Rabbis Affiliation Reform, Rabbis Location Mid-Atlantic USA
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Home > College of Liberal Arts and Sciences > HTY > MAINEHISTORYJOURNAL > Vol. 14 > No. 3 (1975)
All Issues Vol. 50, No. 2 Vol. 50, No. 1 Vol. 49, No. 2 Vol. 49, No. 1 Vol. 48, No. 2 Vol. 48, No. 1 Vol. 47, No. 2 Vol. 47, No. 1 Vol. 46, No. 2 Vol. 46, No. 1 Vol. 45, No. 4 Vol. 45, No. 3 Vol. 45, No. 2 Vol. 45, No. 1 Vol. 44, No. 2 Vol. 44, No. 1 Vol. 43, No. 4 Vol. 43, No. 3 Vol. 43, No. 2 Vol. 43, No. 1 Vol. 42, No. 3 Vol. 42, No. 2 Vol. 42, No. 1 Vol. 41, No. 3 Vol. 41, No. 2 Vol. 41, No. 1 Vol. 40, No. 4 Vol. 40, No. 3 Vol. 40, No. 2 Vol. 40, No. 1 Vol. 39, No. 4 Vol. 39, No. 3 Vol. 39, No. 2 Vol. 39, No. 1 Vol. 38, No. 3 Vol. 38, No. 2 Vol. 38, No. 1 Vol. 37, No. 4 Vol. 37, No. 3 Vol. 37, No. 1 Vol. 36, No. 3 Vol. 36, No. 1 Vol. 35, No. 3 Vol. 35, No. 1 Vol. 34, No. 3 Vol. 34, No. 2 Vol. 34, No. 1 Vol. 33, No. 3 Vol. 33, No. 2 Vol. 33, No. 1 Vol. 32, No. 3 Vol. 32, No. 2 Vol. 32, No. 1 Vol. 31, No. 3 Vol. 31, No. 2 Vol. 31, No. 1 Vol. 30, No. 3 Vol. 30, No. 2 Vol. 30, No. 1 Vol. 29, No. 3 Vol. 29, No. 2 Vol. 29, No. 1 Vol. 28, No. 4 Vol. 28, No. 3 Vol. 28, No. 2 Vol. 28, No. 1 Vol. 27, No. 4 Vol. 27, No. 3 Vol. 27, No. 2 Vol. 27, No. 1 Vol. 26, No. 4 Vol. 26, No. 3 Vol. 26, No. 2 Vol. 26, No. 1 Vol. 25, No. 4 Vol. 25, No. 3 Vol. 25, No. 2 Vol. 25, No. 1 Vol. 24, No. 4 Vol. 24, No. 3 Vol. 24, No. 2 Vol. 24, No. 1
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Home > Oral Histories > Minnesota Oral Histories > 89
Minnesota Oral Histories
Elmer Benson Interview, 1973
Elmer A. Benson
Download Elmer Benson Interview Transcript (2.9 MB)
Jo Antonson
Date Recorded
Location Recorded
Benson Residence, Appleton, Minnesota
Swift County
Minnesota Nonpartisan League; Farmer-Labor Party; Swift County (Minn.)--Politics and government; Minnesota--Politics and government--1858-1950; Townley, A. C. (Arthur Charles), 1880-1959; Legislators--Minnesota; Governors--Minnesota; Minnesota Farm Holiday Association; Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party; Petersen, Hjalmar; Olson, Floyd Björnstjerne, 1891-1936; Conservatism--Minnesota; AFL-CIO; Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Elmer Benson was the son of Norwegian immigrants and had lived all his life in Appleton, Minnesota, where he was born. After attending law school, Benson served in World War I and then worked in an Appleton bank. He was appointed Securities Commissioner, later Bank Commissioner, and then U.S. Senator by Floyd B. Olson. Elmer Benson, a Farmer-Laborite, was then elected governor in 1936. He was also active in the Non-Partisan League.
In this interview, Elmer Benson discusses the Non-Partisan League in Minnesota and Swift County, the establishment of the Farmer-Labor Party in Minnesota, and Benson's participation. He discusses the Farmer-Labor Association, A.C. Townley, and the Farmer-Labor Party in West Central Minnesota. He discusses New Deal principles and West Central Minnesota Farmer's Holiday Movement, as well as the Democratic Party-Farmer-Labor Party merger. He discusses Hjalmar Petersen, Floyd B. Olson, and representative Rev. Kvale, He also discusses the split in the Farmer-Labor Party, Benson's present activities, and his opinion of his administration and the Farmer-Labor Party. Finally, he talks about his concern over the present conservatism in the DFL and the nation, the AFL-CIO, and his anti-war sentiments about the Vietnam War.
SWCBenson01
West Central Minnesota Historical Research Center (WCMHRC)
This oral history is in copyright.
Benson, Elmer A., "Elmer Benson Interview, 1973" (1973). Minnesota Oral Histories. 89.
https://digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu/mnoralhistories/89
Richard Leunenberg Interview, ca. 1977
Richard Leunenberg
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Commercial Leases: The Top 10 Things Landlords and Tenants Need To Know
19 Jul Commercial Leases: The Top 10 Things Landlords and Tenants Need To Know
Posted at 00:22h in Leases, Property Law by devadmin
So you’re a first time commercial landlord or tenant and wanting to know what you need to know about commercial leasing. Here are the top 10 questions we tend to get asked when dealing with new landlords and tenants.
1. What is a Lease?
A lease is a detailed document setting out the relationship between the landlord, usually referred to as a lessor, and the tenant, usually referred to as a lessee.
A lease will contain key information such as the amount of rent and the length of the term and any options to renew that term.
The lease document will also contain clauses that deal with other events such as default by the tenant, installing and removing the fit out, who pays what in terms of outgoings or expenses associated with the premises, increases to rent and outgoings and things of that nature.
2. What are the rights of landlords who own retail properties?
Landlords have rights, so long as you make sure your leases are in accordance with the Retail and Commercial Leases Act and you act in accordance with the Act.
In fact, given we are talking about commercial situations, a landlord of retail shop lease has much more in the way of rights than a landlord of a residential tenancy.
3. What are the rights of tenants who wish to lease retail properties?
A lease will be a retail shop lease if it meets the criteria set out in the Retail and Commercial Leases Act 1995.
Although there are some exceptions, a retail shop lease is a lease of premises situated in a retail shopping centre at which goods are sold or services are provided to the public.
The fact that the property will be subject to the Retail and Commercial Leases Act is important because the Retail and Commercial Leases Act gives tenants a lot of rights, principally a right of tenure whereby the tenant is guaranteed if they want a minimum term of five (5) years.
4. As a landlord, should I have a lawyer to assist me with a new lease?
In regards to a new lease, you should engage wills and estate lawyers Adelaide to assist, keeping in mind that conveyancers can be just as capable of drafting a well structured, secure lease.
5. As a tenant, should I engage a lawyer to assist with a new lease?
Probably although a conveyancer Adelaide will also be able to give advice although not legal advice in relation to the terms of a new lease. The average lease is between 30 and 70 pages long. Some of the lease clauses will be relatively standard while other clauses may be unusual and may impact on the tenant’s rights.
Almost all leases have very wordy clauses and they often need a bit of explanation and interpretation.
A lot of standard type leases may not be helpful to the tenant at all and the landlord should approach a lawyer to receive some advice in relation to things which might be included in the lease to protect themselves and things that might be excluded subject to agreement from the landlord.
6. What are the key features of the Retail and Commercial Leases Act I need to know about regarding a lease?
Obviously the most important key feature is the right of tenure. This means that a tenant has a right to a minimum of five years including any options to renew the lease.
Whilst it is the tenant’s call as to whether they decide to have a one plus two plus two lease, for example, they are guaranteed in those circumstances to have a minimum of five years if they so choose. A lease can be for a head term of five years or any combination that totals five years.
For example, a lease with a head term of one year with two rights of renewal for two years each would be in accordance with the Act as the total term is five years. On the other hand, a lease with a head term of two years and one right of renewal of a term of two years would be contrary to the Act and would be illegal. In those circumstances, the tenant would be guaranteed to a further year.
7. What are the other features of the legislation?
A landlord must provide a copy of a proposed lease to any prospective tenant when negotiations begin. So when the tenant approaches their landlord for a new lease, the landlord must provide before entering into the new lease a draft of the proposed lease so the tenant will be able to get advice in relation to the terms of the proposed lease and perhaps agree to change various terms of the draft lease.
The landlord must also provide the tenant with a disclosure statement before a lease is entered into. This disclosure statement is a very important document, almost as important as the lease documentation itself.
The disclosure statement sets out all the monetary and legal obligations of the tenant in relation to the lease such as what the rent is going to be, how that rent is going to be affected in future years, what the outgoings are going to be in relation to the property, what obligations the tenant may have in terms of a fit out and the cost of that, what the tenant is obliged to pay by way of preparation costs for the lease. It is important that in the negotiation phase that it spells out every particular regarding the lease before the tenant actually commits to the lease.
8. What important factors should be considered by the tenant when negotiating the lease?
First of all, the tenant should look at the term and options to renew. The tenant may wish to if possible negotiate beyond the five years. In other words, the tenant might like to see how things go in the first year and commit to a one plus two plus two year term so that they have got one year that they are obliged to fulfil and if things don’t turn out the way intended, the tenant can leave the lease. You must remember that when businesses fail it is usually within the first five years so it is important to be able to opt out for example in the first or second year of the lease .
9. What other things are there to look at?
The other critical issue is the rent. If the leases are one plus two plus two, it will set out the base rent for the first year. More than likely the rent will go up for the second two year term and the third two year term in which case the tenant must negotiate a modest increase if the rent is to be increased at all. Rent can be increased by agreement by way of a percentage say 5% at the end of the first year or the second term or it might increase by reference to the Consumer Price Index.
10. When should I consult Di Rosa Lawyers?
We have acted for many landlords and tenants over the years. We can prepare a lease for you if you are a landlord or give you advice regarding the terms of a draft lease if you are a tenant.
We can assist you in the enforcement of your rights if you are either a landlord or a tenant.
If you are uncertain about your situation in any way, and need advice, or indeed representation if you are in dispute with the other party, we can assist you whether you are a landlord or a tenant.
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Well as you probably already know, Datasouth love concrete5 and are particularly impressed with the latest release of 5.7.5.2 which is a pleasure to work with.
In our 17 years as a digital agency we have worked with many CMS products and even developed our own, which served as core for new builds for over 12 years. However, we have never come across a CMS product that engaged us quite as much as concrete5. The code is beautiful to work with, and the file structure is elegant.
So.. To say this is a biased report, is probably a fair assessment.
concrete5 is a relative newcomer, having been originally produced by Portland Labs for xxx project, and later becoming open source in 2008. It’s marketshare is tiny at less than 3% but growing faster than any other open source CMS. It’s powerful and ideal for larger companies who require varying levels of editorial control and publishing rights for it’s internal editors. It has a low footprint and is not resource hungry. It is also very easy to extend and add new functionality. The marketplace is relatively small and there are not many transactional and ecommerce modules currently. However, what is in the marketplace is usually of a very high standard. This is because all apps must undergo a peer review process which tests for compatibility, usability and vulnerability before being allowed in. This also results in a far better record for security from hacking when compared to the other three ‘open’ marketplaces. Think of it as similar to the Apple iOS marketplace vs the Android one.
Wordpress has achieved overwhelming success and.. It currently dominates with a market share of nearly 80%. It’s quick an easy to set up, there are thousands of themes and add-ons available covering almost every requirement you could consider. It’s fairly simple to code for, although its frequent releases and security patches which write all over the file system make it difficult to manage easily using conventional version control tools.
Wordpress is also a victim of it’s own success. The theme and add-on market is a wild west of good, bad and ugly code. Wordpress has become a target for hackers worldwide looking for any chance to exploit a vulnerability or expose it to the world publicly. As such, there are a lot of hacked Wordpress sites and you need to be much more than a novice developer/sysadmin to make sure your site is regularly updated with security patches if you wish to avoid your site getting hacked.
Drupal has a large active community and the latest release is very good. However it does require more than a little patience in order to get it set up how you want and upgrading can be a bitch. In fairness, the move from concrete5.6 to 5.7 was a major change too, but it is the first such game-changer update they’ve done. – Drupal has new versions much more frequently, so if you’re stuck with an older version – it can be costly or time consuming to upgrade. I also found it much more difficult to write highly bespoke software within Drupal..
Drupal has a wide range of a modules available, but I did find that Drupal became pretty resource heavy and sluggish quickly, especially as you enable more modules..
Joomla has been around a long time and also has a loyal fanbase. It has a lot of add-ons with an ecommerce bias so right now, So I would say that it is the strongest of the four in that respect if you are looking for something off the shelf to work right now. It is fairly easy to code modules for an experienced programmer, but theming can be an issue for novice developers. Whilst the core is not particularly prone to hacking, poorly coded modules can make your site vulnerable. As such, I recommend working with a reputable developer if you’re intending to use this as a transactional site.
Of all four systems, concrete5 is the best all-round performer in terms of usability, scaleability, performance and resilience. The concrete5 app store vets ALL applications before allowing them into the concrete5 marketplace. Their mission is to keep the concrete5 market safe for newbies and ensure that unsafe modules can’t be used as trojan horses to insert malicious code and guarantee that module will work with any other module you have installed.
If you would like to find out more about concrete5, please get in touch with us at helpdesk@datasouth.co.uk.
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Current News & Tips > News > Job opportunities in Moscow and St. Petersburg for Foreigners and Citizen
NewsWork
Job opportunities in Moscow and St. Petersburg for Foreigners and Citizen
Jobs in Moscow
Working in Moscow and St. Petersburg was a practical option for those looking to gain experience in the construction and energy sectors.
Moscow is the country’s recognized financial and economic centre. Its workforce accounts for about a quarter of Russia’s GDP. Also, the capital has the lowest unemployment rate in the entire country.
The headquarters of the largest Russian companies are located there, in addition to many international companies that entered the Russian market. Therefore, Moscow is an attractive city for many ex-pats, as multinationals often seek out English speakers or foreign citizens with specialized skills. If you are looking for jobs in Russia for English speakers, then Moscow may be a good choice for you.
Saint Petersburg job market
In addition to being a tourist destination and cultural centre, Saint Petersburg is full of temporary and long-term employment opportunities. According to the Federal Migration Service, Saint Petersburg currently has more than 1.6 million foreigners living here. By 2020, it is estimated that immigrants will make up 2/5 of its workforce.
The labour market in Saint Petersburg is smaller and less diversified than Moscow and although the prices of goods and services are almost identical, average wages are 2-3 times better in Moscow. The average income here for a resident is around $ 750 a month.
The employment contract is always written and drafted in two copies signed by both parties. The contracts must be in Russian and English to be accepted by the Russian court.
Russian Labor Law states that there are three main types of employment contracts:
Employment contract with free text – the most recent contract without a specified validity period, but it contains a termination clause.
A fixed-term employment contract – the contract’s validity period can reach five years and is valid only when the temporary employee is offered a permanent contract.
The seasonal work contract valid for two months only.
Who can work in Russia?
All foreigners who want to work in Russia (Moscow or St. Petersburg) must obtain a work permit. The Federal Immigration Service issues work permits that you must obtain before applying for a work visa. Most foreigners need a full work visa to get a job in Moscow or Saint Petersburg, but there are some exceptions:
Those who already have a permanent residence permit do not need a work permit
Those who work temporarily in a foreign country, or often travel outside the country. A work visa allows a person to work in Russia for up to 90 days.
Persons working in diplomatic missions, consular institutions and international organizations of foreign countries in Russia.
Representatives of the accredited media in the country.
The country is invited to teach in educational institutions.
How to find work in Russia
There are many employment agencies and job sites with opportunities in Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, it is best suited for those who have high skills and aim to hit big companies. Most of these agencies require that you send your CV in English by email or complete it on their website. Another useful way to find a job in Russia is to contact international companies directly from your country and ask if they are doing business in Russia.
These companies are likely to employ expatriates to work in Russia.
Here are some useful websites with:
Jobs in Russia for foreigners
Moscow Times Employment Center
SuperJob.ru
HeadHunter.ru
Escape artist
The ex-pat site in Moscow
Russian contact group
Xpat jobs
Moscowjob.net
Learn4Good
Job.ru
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Difference between revisions of "Open Access (the book)"
From Harvard Open Access Project
WikiSysop (talk | contribs)
(→Chapter 1: What Is Open Access?)
** See Dan Pollock and Ann Michael, [https://deltathink.com/news-views-evaluating-quality-in-open-access-journals/ Evaluating Quality in Open Access Journals], DeltaThink, August 2018. "While the proportion of fully OA journals is growing over time, the proportion of higher-performing fully OA journals [measured by journal impact factor] is growing faster than the average performers....The data show that an increasing number of fully OA publications are attaining higher impact factors at faster rates than their subscription and hybrid counterparts....There is nothing preventing an OA journal from being 'high quality', and based on this data, a fully OA journal’s Impact Factor now appears more likely to be above average for its field." Also see the later article by the same authors, [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/leap.1209 Open access mythbusting: Testing two prevailing assumptions about the effects of open access adoption], ''Learned Publishing'', January 24, 2019. "An increasing number of fully OA publications are attaining higher Journal Impact Factors at faster rates than their subscription and hybrid counterparts."
** See Yang Li et al., [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201885 Will open access increase journal CiteScores? An empirical investigation over multiple disciplines], ''PLoS ONE'', August 30, 2018. "This paper empirically studies the effect of Open Access on journal CiteScores. We have found that the general effect is positive but not uniform across different types of journals. In particular, we investigate two types of heterogeneous treatment effect: (1) the differential treatment effect among journals grouped by academic field, publisher, and tier; and (2) differential treatment effects of Open Access as a function of propensity to be treated. The results are robust to a number of sensitivity checks and falsification tests. Our findings shed new light on Open Access effect on journals and can help stakeholders of journals in the decision of adopting the Open Access policy." Also see the [http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2018/10/30/flipping-a-journal-to-open-access-will-boost-its-citation-performance-but-to-what-degree-varies-by-publisher-field-and-rank/ summary] in the ''LSE Impact Blog'' on October 30, 2018, emphasizing the effects of a journal flip or conversion to OA.
** For real-time news and comment on the open-access citation advantage (for and against its existence), follow the http://tagteam.harvard.edu/hubs/oatp/tag/oa.advantage ''oa.advantage''] tag at the [https://cyber.harvard.edu/hoap/Open_Access_Tracking_Project Open Access Tracking Project].
** For real-time news and comment on the open-access citation advantage (for and against its existence), follow the [http://tagteam.harvard.edu/hubs/oatp/tag/oa.advantage ''oa.advantage''] tag at the [https://cyber.harvard.edu/hoap/Open_Access_Tracking_Project Open Access Tracking Project].
** For evidence that OA increases submissions, see Chapter 8, endnote 11 (note call at [http://archive.org/stream/9780262517638OpenAccess/9780262517638_Open_Access#page/n171/mode/2up p. 159], note text at [http://archive.org/stream/9780262517638OpenAccess/9780262517638_Open_Access#page/n228/mode/2up pp. 216-217]). Also see the [[#p145.2|updates and supplements for p. 145, below]].
1 About the book
3 Translations
4 About the updates and supplements
5 Text, updates, and supplements
5.1 Copyright page
5.3 Chapter 1: What Is Open Access?
5.4 Chapter 2: Motivation
5.5 Chapter 3: Varieties
5.6 Chapter 4: Policies
5.7 Chapter 5: Scope
5.8 Chapter 6: Copyright
5.9 Chapter 7: Economics
5.10 Chapter 8: Casualties
5.11 Chapter 9: Future
5.12 Chapter 10: Self-Help
5.14 Notes
5.15 Additional Resources
5.16 Index
This is the home page for my book, Open Access (MIT Press, 2012). I use it for posting updates and supplements, and linking to reviews, translations, and OA editions. — Peter Suber.
Suggested short URL for this page = bit.ly/oa-book
The book was released in June 2012 and became OA in June 2013. MIT Press itself hosts four OA editions, in PDF , HTML , ePub , and Mobi (Kindle) . The same editions are available in DASH (Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard), and other places around the web. The Internet Archive hosts 12 OA editions, adding ABBYY GZ, Daisy, DjVu, OCLC XISBN JSON, plain text, Single page processed JP2 zip, streaming, and Torrent.
An inexpensive paperback edition remains available as well.
The best edition for searching is the streaming edition from the Internet Archive. The search box is at the top of the page, and the hits show up as little flags on the bar at the bottom of the page, showing how many there are and roughly where they're located in the book. Clicking on a search result will jump you to the full text, in full context, including the page number for citation purposes. When you search the book for a given topic or name, don't forget to search this page of updates and supplements as well.
The best edition for cutting and pasting depends on what you need. If you don't know where to find the passage you want to want to cut/paste, then I recommend either the MIT PDF or the Internet Archive PDF. Each displays the full-text in one large file, for searching, but each leaves hard returns in your pasted text. The same is true of the IA plain text edition. If you already know where to find the passage you want to cut/paste, then I recommend the MIT HTML edition. It puts separate chapters into separate files, but will not leave hard returns in your pasted text.
The best edition for deep linking is also the streaming edition from the Internet Archive. Built on BookReader, it supports deep links to individual pages, and I use this edition below when I link directly to pages and chapters of the book.
Tech note: There are 12 unpaginated pages in the front of the book, and each one needs a distinct number for the purpose of deep linking. Hence, to deep link to page k of the print edition, use k+12 rather than k in the URL. For example, the deep link to page 5 is http://archive.org/stream/9780262517638OpenAccess/9780262517638_Open_Access#page/n17/mode/2up. Because 5 + 12 = 17, the URL uses /n17/ rather than /n5/. For other examples, see my deep links in the updates and supplements below.
In addition to deep linking to parts of the book, you can deep link to parts of this book home page.
To deep link to the updates and supplements for a given chapter of the book, for example chapter 5, the anchor is "ch5". Just add "#" and the anchor to the URL for this web page, for example, http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/hoap/Open_Access_(the_book)#ch5. You could also use the short URL, http://bit.ly/oa-book#ch5.
To deep link to the updates and supplements for a given page of the book, for example page 5, the anchor is "p5". Just add "#" and the anchor to the URL for this web page, for example, http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/hoap/Open_Access_(the_book)#p5. You could also use the short URL, http://bit.ly/oa-book#p5. When there's more than one top-level update for a given page, the anchors are "p5.1", "p5.2", "p5.3" and so on, in the order in which I added them. If you're unsure of the anchor for a given entry, just look at the page source code.
Request. If you cite the book and include a URL with your citation, please use the URL for this book home page (long URL or short URL). Then your readers will know about the print and OA editions, the reviews and translations, and the updates and supplements.
Also see my case study on this book, A living open book, in Hazel Woodward, ed., Ebooks for education: Realising the vision, Ubiquity Press, November 2014, pp. 113-118.
Also see the home page for my newer book, Knowledge Unbound: Selected Writings on Open Access, 2002–2011, MIT Press, 2016.
Also see my other writings on OA. For a shorter introduction to OA, see my Open Access Overview.
Some people looking for a history of OA come to this book. But I had other purposes in mind here and didn't include much history. I'm pulling together my contributions to the history of OA in another place.
Choice named Open Access an Outstanding Academic Title for 2013.
Stephen Curry, Open Access by Peter Suber, Reciprocal Space, July 5, 2012. "There has been a fairly torrid debate over open access over the last six months (even longer for aficionados). For people who look in only occasionally it must seem like a storm that swirls around the same arguments time and again....Cutting through this noisy argument is Peter Suber’s short book on the topic, which has just been published by MIT Press. In the ten brief chapters of Open Access he works his way through the definitions, the history, the economics and the implications of changes to the landscape of research publishing. The text is thorough, clear and measured....Suber does a wholly admirable job of unpicking the complexities of open access and we’ll get there sooner if more of us are able to engage properly with the matter."
Rob Harle, Open Access by Peter Suber (MIT Press 2012), Leonardo Reviews, August 2, 2012. "This is a very important book, which, I suggest, is a must read for all scholars and researchers who publish their own work or consult the peer-reviewed published work of others ––in other words, virtually all academics...."
Louis Kirby, Open Access: Peter Suber's new book, ZettaScience, September 6, 2012. "It comes down to this. I am a taxpayer and a physician. It makes me madder than Hell to have to pay $35.00 to read a single PDF of a journal article when my tax dollars already paid for the research....Peter Suber’s book is terrific. It is short and easily readable in a couple of sittings. That said, he is very thorough and clear at explaining what Open Access is, and why it benefits both the author, the research enterprise and society...."
John Dupuis, Reading Diary: Open Access by Peter Suber, Confessions of a Science Librarian, September 26, 2012. "Peter Suber’s... Open Access is an important book. You should read it, you should buy (or recommend) a copy for your library. You should buy a hundred boxes and give a copy to every faculty member at your institution. And not just because it’s a blazingly wonderful book — although it mostly is — but because it’s a book that sets the stage for an intelligent, rational, fact-based discussion on the future of scholarly publishing...."
Elliott Smith, Open Access, Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, Fall 2012. "Suber provides clear and concise explanations....Given the recent attempts in Congress to rescind the NIH Public Access Policy, Open Access should be of interest to a broad audience. It is particularly relevant to faculty and administrators at research institutions...."
Wm. Joseph Thomas, Review of Peter Suber, Open Access, Against the Grain, November 2012, p. 40. "Suber makes the point eloquently that all key players involved in vetting research — authors, editors, and peer reviewers — can consent to OA without losing revenue. Not only that, Suber makes the case that distributing research freely is a public gift with both direct and indirect benefits to all....If the readers of Suber's book will take action on providing access to knowledge as a 'public good,' we can indeed complete the 'peaceful revolution' that Suber envisions."
Aaron Tay, 5 things I learnt about Open Access after reading Crawford's & Suber's books, Musings about librarianship, January 19, 2013. "Before [reading Suber's book], I had heard about "mandates" that require all researchers at a certain institution to support open access by depositing their work in their institutional repository. But Suber's book in chapter 4, shows how simplistic this thinking is and includes material that is almost 100% new to me....There's also a great discussion on why the word "mandate" might not be the best word, and a very good section "digression on historical timing of Open Access policies" on when and why it might be the right time to try to adopt different mandate types....Suber's book is longer (but still short) and more technical....I loved it....I do wish he could have written a much longer book, as I got the sense that behind every sentence he wrote, lurks a bigger story...."
T.M. Owen, Open Access by Peter Suber, Choice, February 2013, vol. 50, No. 06, p. 216. "Drawing extensively on his previous online writings, world-renowned open access (OA) expert Suber...presents a well-written, concise explanation of OA. The book appeals to those with all levels of OA knowledge, from novice to expert, but it is especially beneficial for those unfamiliar with the subject....In ten well-organized chapters, the author defines OA, examines the motivation behind OA, presents options for institutional and funders' policies, confronts copyright issues, explains the economics of OA, and predicts what the future might hold. The extensive notes and references that accompany each chapter enhance the value of this important resource. Open Access should be required reading for everyone involved in the publishing cycle — from authors to publishers, including librarians and general readers. Everyone who reads this volume will gain a better understanding and appreciation of OA....Summing Up: Essential...."
Giridhar Madras, Open Access by Peter Suber, Current Science, February 10, 2013. "This book by Peter Suber builds on his excellent work and articles on open access (OA)....This book is clear in its recommendation....On 16 August 2012, Georgia State University distributed copies of Suber’s book to new faculty and administrators on campus....It is high time that Indian institutions follow the [George State] example."
Padmanabhan Balaram, Open Access: Tearing Down Barriers, Current Science, February 25, 2013. "Open Access by Peter Suber...is an excellent and easily readable primer on the movement to make the results of scholarly work freely available. The author's preface is engaging, urging readers to plunge on: 'I want busy people to read this book. OA benefits literally everyone, for the same reason that research benefits literally everyone.' Suber is clear 'that the largest obstacle to OA is misunderstanding....' His remedy for misunderstanding ‘is a clear statement of the basics for busy people’. I believe the book will serve this purpose admirably....This is a book that must be read by those busy scientists who publish a lot, read a lot and have had little time to grasp the nuances of the open access movement. It must also be read (and read carefully) by strident advocates, who have little time to allay the fears of those unfamiliar with the issue."
Brenda Chawner, Open Access, Online Information Review, Vol. 37, No. 1 (2013) pp. 150 - 151. "Suber has been writing about OA concepts and developments since 2001, making him one of the movement's most important champions. Now, in Open Access Suber provides a succinct, readable and well-reasoned discussion of OA concepts and practices....[T]his book is an excellent guide for anyone interested in learning more about open access publishing."
Kevin Michael Clair, Open Access by Peter Suber, Journal of Academic Librarianship, vol. 39, no. 1, January 2013. "In his latest book, Suber lays out in succinct and engaging fashion the primary reasons why the major players in the scholarly communications space should consider open access in their publishing, peer-reviewing, and library acquisitions work....For libraries just making inroads into the open access world, Open Access is an essential introduction to the topic. For academic librarians who have been working in the scholarly communications space and are familiar with its content, the value of Open Access lies in the concise way in which Suber outlines all of the reasons why the OA movement exists, and how researchers, librarians, and their reading audience can continue to work in order to advance its cause. Open Access is an essential addition to the libraries of anyone interested in the future of scholarly publishing in all of its forms."
Elizabeth Siler Open Access by Peter Suber, Library Resources & Technical Services, vol. 57, no. 2, 2013. "In Open Access, Peter Suber explains the ins and outs of the OA movement, in a quick and efficient way, to inform the busy researcher....Open Access provides a brief but complete overview of OA publishing...."
Gary F. Daught, Review: Peter Suber’s Open Access, Omega Alpha | Open Access, June 17, 2013. "This book is a high-quality, thoughtful, and well-written distillation of Suber’s decade-long full-time immersion in the developing open access environment....Suber accomplishes his purpose admirably. In addressing these topics, Suber writes succinctly and with clarity, applying the logic of a philosopher (which he is), the sharpness of a debater, and the cadence of a musician (speaking to his writing style). He anticipates the many sides and questions of his readers, even honest critiques, and he answers them with directness and without polemic. He clearly aims to persuade, but he also wants to bring his readers along with with him."
Colin Steele, Open access by Peter Suber, Australian Library Journal, September 29, 2013. "While many libraries and librarians will buy Suber’s book, it really needs to become essential reading for administrators and academics, since the system will not quickly change without their understanding of and involvement in the issues. Suber’s pithy comments may help, such as, ‘The deeper problem is that we donate time, labor, and public money to create new knowledge and then hand control over the results to businesses that believe, correctly or incorrectly, that their revenue and survival depend on limiting access to that knowledge’....Suber’s book is an excellent primer....In [the] future, the role of the library will include the facilitation of scholarly publishing to enable the widest dissemination of an institution’s intellectual output. To assist that process, Suber’s book is an essential OA vade mecum."
Benjamin Caraco, Peter Suber, Open Access, Lectures, Les comptes rendus, October 1, 2013. Also here. "[Suber's] écrits, activités et engagements font de lui l’un des spécialistes les plus respectés et écoutés sur la question du libre accès. Dans son dernier livre, Open Access,...il propose une introduction raisonnée au libre accès dans un langage clair, alliant la pédagogie au pragmatisme." In Google's English: "[Suber's] writings, activities and commitments made him one of the most respected and listened to on the issue of open access experts. In his latest book, Open Access,...[he] offers a reasoned introduction to free access in clear language, combining pedagogy [with] pragmatism."
Brad Reid, Peter Suber, Open Access, Computing Reviews, October 29, 2013. "Anyone in the computing, publishing, archiving, and library worlds will find [this book] informative, interesting, and nontechnical....This is a compact presentation of the interesting and important topic of OA."
David R. Stewart, Peter Suber, Open Access, Theological Librarianship, 7, 1 (January 2014) pp. 72-74. "It is very easy to imagine a book on this urgent topic that is too complex, too long, too combative, and deathly boring. Happily, Suber’s Open Access is none of these things. He has an almost perfect instinct for what his readers are eager to know, and he frames his content in useful examples and in the context of the real-world challenges common to the academy. Likewise, he clearly has a great deal of respect for the issues libraries and librarians must contend with in these times of transition. Open Access is highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand better how academic publishing is changing, whether from a library acquisitions or a publishing perspective."
Paul Uhlir, "Peter Suber, Open Access" (review not online), Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2014, pp. 92-94. "Peter Suber’s book Open Access provides an easy-to-read compendium of answers to many questions and blows up some of the canards that have been flying around the ether. Suber is one of the gurus of the open access (OA) movement....In summary, Suber dispels the arguments against open publishing of publicly funded research results and makes a cogent case for the new models."
Marian De Saxe, "Peter Suber, Open Access" (review not online), Media International Australia, February 2014. "Peter Suber...is...the ideal person to provide an insider's expert overview and summary of this form of publishing while mounting a persuasive argument in favour of the extensive advantages to be gained from adopting formal open access policies....The strength of this book lies in the clarity with which Suber highlights an extremely complex publishing and access environment....[T]his book provides a thorough grounding in the youthful history and practical state-of-play of open access publishing."
Hubertus Kohle, Peter Suber, Open Access, Kunstform, May 2014. "Zunächst gilt es, die knappe Einführung in ein Gebiet anzuzeigen, das zu den wichtigsten, umstrittensten und gleichzeitig scheinbar nebensächlichsten des aktuellen Wissenschaftsbetriebes gehört. Der Autor, Peter Suber, gilt als einer der besten Kenner des durchaus komplexen Gegenstandes. Er liefert eine konzise, leicht in einem knappen halben Tag zu lesende Darstellung, die ganz auf den Vergleich Online- gegen Druck-Publikation abstellt."
Gordana Ljubanović, Peter Suber, Open Access, National Library of Serbia Herald, n.d. but circa December 2014. [The review is long and positive. Unfortunately I can't pick a good excerpt to post here because the review is in Serbian, which I don't read, and because Google's English translation is weak.]
Jean Bernatchez, Peter Suber, Qu’est-ce que l’accès ouvert? Lectures, Les comptes rendus, March 15, 2017. Bref, le livre est un incontournable pour se familiariser avec l’accès ouvert. Il est heureux qu’il soit désormais disponible en français....Peter Suber propose une synthèse du phénomène accessible (sur tous les plans) et qui rend justice aux acteurs concernés, à leurs arguments favorables ou défavorables. Il est certes un militant de la cause, mais il ne verse pas dans l’exagération. Il ne souhaite pas la disparition du modèle traditionnel de l’édition scientifique, mais il insiste néanmoins sur la promotion du bien commun, avant tout, et sur sa traduction dans le monde de l’édition scientifique par l’accès ouvert.
Pablo Markin, The Continued Relevance of Peter Suber’s (2012) Book on Open Access, Open Science, June 18, 2017. Few formats fit better Marshall MacLuhan’s dictum that “the medium is the message” than Open Access does. Peter Suber’s book Open Access published in 2012 by the MIT Press intends to be an authoritative source of reference on the notion of open access, its historical roots, its variegated models, policies proffered in its support, its possible scope, its copyright implications, its economic foundations and consequent limitations....As this book has been translated into multiple other languages, such as Chinese Polish and French, it has become a standard source for arguments in favor and against Open Access....Despite the elapsed time from the date of its publication, the digital supplement for this book provides further materials in respect to the effect Open Access is likely to have....[I]n the intervening years this publication has hardly lost any of its relevance as a sustained and up-to-date compendium of thoroughly researched scholarship on Open Access and reasons for its emergence.
Unless noted otherwise, all these translations are OA or have OA editions.
Arabic, QScience division of the Qatar Foundation, October 2015. Thanks to Tahseen Al-Khateeb for doing the translation, and to Christopher Leonard, Alwaleed Alkhaja, Fakhri Saleh, Jameela Jassim for their editorial help. There is both a print and OA edition.
Chinese, China Ocean Press, January 2015. Thanks to Li Wu for doing the translation. Unfortunately China Ocean Press does not plan to issue an OA edition.
French, OpenEdition Press, October 2016. Thanks to Marie Lebert for doing the translation, and to Helen Tomlinson and Solenne Louis for revising it. There is both a print and OA edition.
Greek (in process, starting February 11, 2014). Thanks to Nancy Pontika for doing the translation.
Polish, University of Warsaw press, October 13, 2014. Thanks to the Interdyscyplinarne Centrum Modelowania Matematycznego i Komputerowego Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego (Interdisciplinary Center for Mathematical and Computational Modelling at the University of Warsaw), the Platforma Otwartej Nauki (Open Science Platform), Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego (University of Warsaw Press), and the team of translators: Roman Bogacewicz, Maciej Chojnowski, Wojciech Fenrich, Joanna Kielan, Andrzej Leśniak, Krzysztof Siewicz, Michał Starczewski, and Jakub Szprot.
Spanish, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, August 17, 2015. Thanks to Remedios Melero for doing the translation, and to Indrajit Banerjee, Dominique Babini, and Eduardo Aguado for their lengthy new introduction. There is both a print and OA edition.
Forthcoming. Translations are under way into Czech, German, Greek, Japanese, Romanian, and Russian. I'll link to them here as they become available. I welcome other translations.
About the updates and supplements
I add updates and supplements in real time, as I find relevant new studies and evidence. Consider these supplements to be continuously updated "public footnotes" for the assertions they annotate. For more on this concept, see my 2012 article, The Idea of an Open-Access Evidence Rack.
To find corrections, as opposed to other kinds of updates and supplements, search this page for the word "correction". All the hits except for this entry will be corrections.
Text, updates, and supplements
Some of these notes didn't fit into the book. The book is deliberately short and I was already over my wordcount. Others were too late to put in the book. They cite publications or developments that hadn't occurred by the time my text was final in the spring of 2011.
The first print edition used an "all rights reserved" statement and a CC-BY license icon, which caused confusion. The digital editions clarified the book's copyright status, and the clarification appeared in future print editions. Basically, the book incorporates some material that I previously published in the SPARC Open Access Newsletter under a CC-BY license and a copyright owned by SPARC. That material remains CC-BY. The all-rights-reserved copyright on the first print edition applied only to new parts of the book, and even those parts shifted to a CC-BY-NC license on June 17, 2013, one year after the book was published.
Note that all the updates and supplements are CC-BY, and have been from the start.
Read the OA text:
Updates and supplements for the Preface:
At p. ix, I say, "OA benefits nonresearchers by accelerating research and all the goods that depend on research, such as new medicines, useful technologies, solved problems, informed decisions, improved policies, and beautiful understanding." Add this note.
On OA for improved policies: A 2014 study from the University of Queensland's Institute for Social Science Research showed that Australian policy-makers agreed that academic research was useful for policy-making. For example, 39% agreed that "Academic research alters or transforms how policy makers think about issues and choices" and 42% agreed that "Academic research is used to shape and inform the design and implementation of policies and programs." Interestingly, surveyed academics thought these propositions were true more often than policy-makers themselves. Most relevant here, however, is the result cited by the authors in a blog post summarizing the study (June 13, 2014): "The main reasons provided by policy-makers for the [relatively] low uptake of academic research were the perception that academic research is not available when needed, is difficult to access, or is not being translated in a user-friendly form for policy-makers." It's hard to avoid the conclusion that academic research would be even more useful for policy-making if it were OA.
More on OA for improved policies: See Marialuisa Taddia, Good Citations, April 16, 2018. Law professors have always influenced law and policy, and today open access is amplifying their influence. "More academic journals are making their content freely available online through ‘open access’, making the dissemination of scholarly articles quicker and wider. [Jon Yorke, law professor at Birmingham City University] points to an academic paper he co-authored in 2013 on the EU and the abolition of the death penalty as ‘the most downloaded article in the Pace International Law Review’, with over 2,000 downloads by governments, institutions and non-governmental organisations. ‘With open access of journals globally, policy-makers can have at their fingertips instant access to the quality of material which they are required to [use to] form intricate arguments. It definitely helps them and they do listen to legal academics in that way,’ Yorke adds...."
More on OA for improved policies: See Fernando Hoces de la Guardia, Sean Grant, and Edward Miguel, Why We Need Open Policy Analysis, a preprint from he Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences (BITSS), April 5, 2018. "In this paper we have argued that policy analysis can address the threat of its own credibility crisis by adopting solutions from the open science movement."
Chapter 1: What Is Open Access?
Section 1.1: What Makes OA Possible?
Section 1.2: What OA Is Not
Updates and supplements for Chapter 1:
For updates to Section 1 in general, including real-time updates, see the following tag libraries from the Open Access Tracking Project:
oa.advantage (for "OA citation advantage")
oa.benefits
oa.copyright
oa.definitions
oa.economics_of
oa.impact
oa.incentives
oa.terminology
At p. 5, I say, "Copyright can...be a significant access barrier." Add this note.
See Lea Shaver, Copyright and Inequality, preprint, December 22, 2014. "The majority of the world’s people experience copyright law not as a boon to consumer choice, but as a barrier to acquiring knowledge and taking part in cultural life."
At p. 5, I say, "Even...authors [who don't sell their work and want to share it as widely as possible]...tend to transfer their copyrights to intermediaries —publishers— who want to sell their work. As a result, users may be hampered in their research by barriers erected to serve intermediaries rather than authors." Add this note.
See my July 2011 interview with Richard Poynder: "OA doesn’t merely share knowledge. It accelerates research by helping authors and readers find one another. It’s compatible with intermediaries but not with intermediaries who erect access barriers to keep authors and readers apart."
At p. 7, I introduce the Budapest Open Access Initiative and its definition of OA. Add this note.
See the ten-year anniversary statement from the BOAI, which reaffirmed the original definition of OA and made recommendations for the next ten years, Ten years on from the Budapest Open Access Initiative: setting the default to open, September 12, 2012.
At pp. 8-9, I say, "[T]he major obstacles are not technical, legal, or economic, but cultural." Add this note.
See Brian A. Nosek and Yoav Bar-Anan, Scientific Utopia: I. Opening scientific communication, arXiv, May 4, 2012. "We address conceptual and practical barriers to change, and provide examples showing how the suggested practices are being used already. The critical barriers to change are not technical or financial; they are social. While scientists guard the status quo, they also have the power to change it."
At p. 15, I refer to "the well-documented phenomenon that OA articles are cited more often than non-OA articles...and that journals converting to OA see a rise in their submissions and citation impact." See the documentation in note 6 at pp. 178-179. Add these notes.
See Stefan Busch's summary of the experience of BioMed Central, March 26 2011: "Typically...2 or 3 years after a journal converts from TA to OA, i.e. when the impact factor...is based on two years' worth of OA, the IF tends to go up significantly."
For a comprehensive annotated bibliography of studies up to 2013, including studies that do and do not support the OA citation advantage, see Steve Hitchcock, The effect of open access and downloads ('hits') on citation impact: a bibliography of studies, OpCit Project. SPARC Europe continued Hitchcock's bibliography in its Open Access Citation Advantage Service, but stopped updating it in 2016.
See Mirjam Curno and Stephanie Oeben, Scientific Excellence at Scale: Open Access journals have a clear citation advantage over subscription journals, Frontiers, July 11, 2018.
See Dan Pollock and Ann Michael, Evaluating Quality in Open Access Journals, DeltaThink, August 2018. "While the proportion of fully OA journals is growing over time, the proportion of higher-performing fully OA journals [measured by journal impact factor] is growing faster than the average performers....The data show that an increasing number of fully OA publications are attaining higher impact factors at faster rates than their subscription and hybrid counterparts....There is nothing preventing an OA journal from being 'high quality', and based on this data, a fully OA journal’s Impact Factor now appears more likely to be above average for its field." Also see the later article by the same authors, Open access mythbusting: Testing two prevailing assumptions about the effects of open access adoption, Learned Publishing, January 24, 2019. "An increasing number of fully OA publications are attaining higher Journal Impact Factors at faster rates than their subscription and hybrid counterparts."
See Yang Li et al., Will open access increase journal CiteScores? An empirical investigation over multiple disciplines, PLoS ONE, August 30, 2018. "This paper empirically studies the effect of Open Access on journal CiteScores. We have found that the general effect is positive but not uniform across different types of journals. In particular, we investigate two types of heterogeneous treatment effect: (1) the differential treatment effect among journals grouped by academic field, publisher, and tier; and (2) differential treatment effects of Open Access as a function of propensity to be treated. The results are robust to a number of sensitivity checks and falsification tests. Our findings shed new light on Open Access effect on journals and can help stakeholders of journals in the decision of adopting the Open Access policy." Also see the summary in the LSE Impact Blog on October 30, 2018, emphasizing the effects of a journal flip or conversion to OA.
For real-time news and comment on the open-access citation advantage (for and against its existence), follow the oa.advantage tag at the Open Access Tracking Project.
For evidence that OA increases submissions, see Chapter 8, endnote 11 (note call at p. 159, note text at pp. 216-217). Also see the updates and supplements for p. 145, below.
At p. 17, I say, "In general, scholarly journals don’t pay editors...either. In general, editors...are paid salaries by universities to free them, like authors, to donate their time and labor to ensure the quality of new work appearing in scholarly journals." Add this note.
Journal editors acknowledge this point, and even emphasize it as part of an argument for universities (if not publishers) to better reward their important work. See Alan Rauch, Ecce Emendator: The Cost of Knowledge for Scholarly Editors, Chronicle of Higher Education, January 23, 2014. "[S]cholarly publishing is still a big business. University libraries make enormous outlays of cash to ensure that the faculty of each department have access to the very best and most recent research. But editors see none of that money. And their labor to support the mechanism is, more often than not, completely unrewarded and unsupported."
At p. 18, I say, "Academic publishers are not monolithic...." Add this note.
See Library Loon, Pyrrhic publishers, Gavia Libraria, June 10, 2011: "[T]he Loon must note that “publishers” is not a monolith. “Publishers” are not suing Georgia State; SAGE, Oxford, and Cambridge are. However. The vast bulk of toll-access publishers have consistently ranged themselves behind mendacious attacks on open access, behind Washington lobbyists fighting against the NIH Public Access Policy and policies like it, behind these lawsuits, behind anti-ETD whisper campaigns. Only a paltry few have any excuse whatever to say “we’re different from the monolith” " (emphases in original).
At p. 18, I say, "This variety reminds us (to paraphrase Tim O'Reilly) that OA doesn't threaten publishing; it only threatens existing publishers who do not adapt." Add this note
See Barry Eisler, The digital truths traditional publishers don't want to hear, The Guardian, April 29, 2013. "We have to be careful not to conflate publishing services with the entities that have traditionally provided them. The services are essential; the entities are not. This would seem a fairly obvious point, and yet as thoughtful and experienced a person as novelist James Patterson is now calling for a bailout of the legacy publishing industry, apparently because he fears that publishing is dying. No. Publishing isn't dying; it is evolving. Authors understand this, and are embracing it. Legacy publishers need to do the same."
At p. 21, I say, "OA would benefit from the right kinds of copyright reforms...." Add these notes.
See my article, Open access and copyright, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, July 2, 2011. "For example, here are some copyright reforms that would help the cause: [1] Shorten the term of copyright, or at least prevent it from becoming even longer every time Mickey Mouse is about to fall into the public domain. [2] Ban the retroactive extension of copyright to works in the public domain. [3] Allow OA for orphan works, with a takedown requirement if the rightsholder steps forward and complains. [4] Permit the circumvention of DRM in pursuit of non-infringing uses. [5] Recognize that some creative works generate revenue for creators, and some don't, and that creators of the former type are harmed by unauthorized copying while creators of the latter type are harmed by the default prohibition of copying. That is, stop making royalty-free literature collateral damage in the war against revenue leaks. [6] Allow green OA, at least for royalty-free literature, within a certain time after publication, regardless of the publishing contract the author signed with a publisher. [7] Allow digitization and search indexing without permission when they result in no dissemination, or when the dissemination consists of nothing more than fair-use snippets. [8] Make the penalties for copyfraud (false claim of copyright) at least as severe as the penalties for infringement; that is, take the wrongful decrease in the circulation of ideas at least as seriously as the wrongful increase in the circulation of ideas."
Idea #6 above (letting authors make their works green OA a certain number of months after publication regardless of the contracts they may have signed with publishers) has been proposed several times in Germany, for example in 2006 (from Gerd Hansen), in 2008 (from the German federal government), in 2011 (from the Social Democratic Party), and in 2013 (from the German federal government). This idea is now law in Germany, and took effect on January 1, 2014.
In January 2014, a similar bill was introduced in the Netherlands, and became law on July 1, 2015. (This is sometimes called the Taverne Amendment.) Also see the January 2014 defense of the Dutch bill by its leading proponent, Sander Dekker, State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science. Also see the January 2019 announcement that the Dutch Association of Universities (Vereniging van Universiteiten, VSNU) is helping authors deposit eligible works in OA repositories.
In December 2015, a similar bill was introduced to the French Council of Ministers. For the adopted version, see Article 30 of Loi pour une république numérique, October 7, 2016.
In February 2016 the Associazione italiana per la promozione della scienza aperta (AISA) began drafting a similar bill for the Italian parliament. On March 13, 2019, a bill of this kind was adopted by the lower house of the Italian Parliament and sent to the Senate.
In March 2016, the Parlamentarische Gruppe Digitale Nachhaltigkeit (Parldigi) proposed a similar amendment to Swiss copyright law.
On August 1, 2017, a related law took effect in Austria. See §86 of the Bundesrecht konsolidiert: Gesamte Rechtsvorschrift für Universitätsgesetz 2002, Fassung vom 30.09.2018. University regulations may require that students submit a copy of an accepted dissertation to the university for publication, and may require that this publication (in Google's English) "must be made electronically in a publicly accessible repository." (Thanks to Daniel Hürlimann.)
In September 2018 , Belgian law gave authors of research articles the unwaivable right to make their articles OA regardless of the contracts they might have signed with publishers, provided that the underlying research was at least half-funded by public funds, and provided that the OA is at least six months after publication in the natural sciences, and at least 12 months after publication in the humanities and social sciences. See Section 6, Article 29 (p. 68691) of the Belgisch Staatsblad for September 5, 2018.
There is now a crowd-sourced spreadsheet (at least from December 2018, perhaps earlier) tracking European copyright laws and indicating whether they include an OA amendment.
For some reform recommendations that would re-balance copyright law, or correct some of its excesses, but without aiming to optimize copyright law for OA, see:
Pamela Samuelson et al., The Copyright Principles Project: Directions for Reform, the Copyright Principles Project, September 10, 2010.
Giancarlo F. Frosio et al., COMMUNIA policy recommendations, COMMUNIA, March 31, 2011.
Rep. Jim Jordan et al., Republican Study Committee Policy Brief: Three Myths about Copyright Law and Where to Start to Fix it, Republican Study Committee, November 16, 2012. I'm linking to a copy of the report because the original was taken down one day after it was released.
Principles and Proposals for Copyright Reform, from the Authors Alliance, May 21, 2014.
Also see Re:Create, a coalition of "innovators, creators and consumers united for balanced copyright," launched April 27, 2015.
Also see Albert N. Greco, The Scholarly Publishing Community Should Support Changes to US Copyright Law (paywalled), Journal of Scholarly Publishing, January 2018.
At p. 24, I say, "Not all plagiarists are smart, but the smart ones will not steal from OA sources indexed in every search engine....OA deters plagiarism." Add these notes.
See my article, Open Access and Quality, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, October 2, 2006. "Because OA will only reduce plagiarism by smart plagiarists, the effect may be small. And today the effect is small in any case because so little of the literature is OA. But just as we can expect good things from a pest-resistant strain of wheat, even when we've just introduced it in one field, we can expect good things from this plagiarism-resistant strain of research literature."
See this October 2016 interview with Matt Hodgkinson, Head of Research Integrity at Hindawi. He's seen a rising number of plagiarism cases since he entered academic publishing in 2003. Some of this growth is due to "an industrialization of misconduct." But some is due to better detection, thanks to OA. "Some of this is down to technology and openness enabling detection of poor practices – such as better plagiarism detection and more content being online and thus easily searchable, particularly when it is not hiding behind a paywall."
For more on OA and plagiarism, including real-time updates, see the items tagged with oa.plagiarism by the Open Access Tracking Project.
At p. 24, I say, "[M]ost toll-access publishers are already adapting, by allowing author-initiated OA, providing some OA themselves, or experimenting with OA." Add this note.
See ALPSP report indicates publisher health but OA concerns, Research Information, October 24, 2013. "In 2008 half of publishers had some form of open access but this had risen to two thirds by 2012. Most publishers surveyed now have a hybrid model in place across all titles (i.e. author has option to pay for their article to be open access). However take up of the hybrid model by authors is low, 1 per cent of articles published. There has also been a large increase in publishers offering open access after an embargo period (normally 12 months)." I do not have access to the report itself, or I would quote from it directly.
At p. 26, I say, "OA isn't universal access." Add these notes.
One of the barriers blocking universal access is censorship. For an argument that an OA variant can help bypass censorship barriers, see my May 2011 article, Free Offline Access: A Primer on OA' (OA Prime): "Swapping thumb drives of OA' literature bypasses censors and surveillance in oppressive countries."
See Ian Sample, Universal internet access unlikely until at least 2050, experts say, The Guardian, January 10, 2019. "While half the world’s population now uses the internet, a desperate lack of skills and stagnant investment mean the UN’s goal of universal access, defined as 90% of people being online, may not be reached until 2050 or later, they said....In December [2018], the UN's International Telecommunication Union (ITU) declared that global internet access had crossed a threshold with more than half of the world's population now online....But the first half of the world was the easier to bring online. Connectivity swept through developed nations and other regions where high incomes, good education and dense urban centres smoothed the way. The second half is expected to be harder to hook up."
Chapter 2: Motivation
Section 2.1: OA as Solving Problems
Section 2.2: OA as Seizing Opportunities
For updates to Section 2.1 in general, including real-time updates, see the following tag libraries from the Open Access Tracking Project:
oa.budgets
oa.prices
oa.profits
oa.monopoly
oa.south
At p. 29, I say, "For four decades, subscription prices have risen significantly faster than inflation and significantly faster than library budgets." Add these notes.
Correction. In endnote 2 at p. 181, I link to a graphic from the ARL report, Monograph and Serial Expenditures in ARL Libraries, 1986-2004. The URL I used for that graphic is now dead. Here is a working URL from the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, http://web.archive.org/web/20121030025208/http://www.arl.org/bm~doc/monser04.pdf.
Correction. In the same endnote, I cite Stephen Bosch, Kittie Henderson, & Heather Klusendorf, "Periodicals Price Survey 2011: Under Pressure, Times Are Changing," Library Journal, April 14, 2011. The URL I used for that article is now dead, and LJ provides no redirect. Here's a working URL, http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2011/04/publishing/periodicals-price-survey-2011-under-pressure-times-are-changing/.
See Steven Bosch and Kittie Henderson, The Winds of Change: Periodicals Price Survey 2013, Library Journal, April 25, 2013. "This year, the serials pricing data indicates that prices are increasing at about the same rate as last year. Increases seemed to have plateaued at about 6% for 2013. Data from the merged ISI indexes shows a 6% increase for 2013, unchanged from 2012....The Consumer Price Index (CPI), on the other hand, advanced 1.7% for 2012, which means serials inflation continues to far exceed general inflationary pressures and library budget adjustments."
Data from journal aggregator EBSCO show that subscription prices from 2009 to 2013, averaged across all fields, rose by more than 20%.
The EBSCO Serials Price Projection Report for 2019 (published in September 2018) confirms that both trends continue. "Library budget growth remains a top concern, generally lagging behind annual inflation in journal pricing in spite of the annual price increase caps applied to many e-journal packages....Though overall budgets in the U.S. academic library market show modest improvements, the budget for serials materials generally have not kept pace with annual journal price inflation."
At p. 29, I say, "Subscription prices have risen about twice as fast as the price of healthcare...." Add this note.
Correction. In endnote 2 at p. 181, I link to the Scholarly Communication FAQ from the University of California's Office of Systemwide Library Planning, February 29, 2003. The URL I used for that FAQ is now dead. Here is a working URL from the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, http://web.archive.org/web/20070630080017/http://www.ucop.edu/copyright/2003-02-27/faq.html. On this point, the FAQ itself cites Mary Case, "Capitalizing on Competition: The Economic Underpinnings of SPARC, Association of Research Libraries, n.d., at this URL, http://www.arl.org/sparc/core/index.asp?page=f41. But that URL is now dead as well. Here is a working URL from SPARC, http://www.sparc.arl.org/resources/papers-guides/case-capitalizing. Case cites the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2000.
At p. 30, I start subsection #2 in which I offer data showing that researchers do not have access to all the research they need. See endnotes 3 and 4 at p. 182. Add these notes.
Also see Jennifer Howard, JSTOR Tests Free, Read-Only Access to Some Articles, Chronicle of Higher Education, January 13, 2012: "Every year, JSTOR said, it turns away almost 150 million individual attempts [from readers without subscriptions] to gain access to articles."
Also see Ross Housewright, Roger C. Schonfeld, and Kate Wulfson, UK Survey of Academics 2012, Ithaka S+R, May 16, 2013. From pp. 38-39: "[A]bout half of all respondents —slightly more in the arts and humanities than in other fields— strongly agreed that they “often would like to use journal articles that are not in [their] library’s print or digital collections.” And only slightly more than a third strongly agreed that they can “almost always get satisfactory access” to needed journal articles that are not in their library collections, a pattern that holds across disciplinary groupings. When asked how they gain access to needed materials that their institution’s library does not directly provide, more than two-thirds of our respondents indicated that they “often” or “occasionally” simply give up." From p. 42: "Almost 60% of academics at non-RLUK [Research Library UK] institutions strongly agreed that they would often “like to use journal articles that are not in my library’s print or digital collections,” compared with less than 40% of academics at RLUK institutions."
Also see the Taylor & Francis Open Access Survey, March 2013. One survey question asked T&F authors what they thought of the statement, "Researchers already have access to most of the articles they need." Of 14,541 respondents, 38% disagreed (26%) or strongly disagreed (12%).
At p. 30, I say, "[C]umulative price increases...forced the Harvard Library to undertake 'serious cancellation efforts' for budgetary reasons." In endnote 5 (note text at p. 182), I cite two sources. Here are eight, including the original two, in chronological order.
A letter from Sidney Verba, the Harvard University Librarian, January 1, 2004. "As of January 1 [2004], the University is eliminating a number of journals published by Elsevier....Harvard libraries will fulfill requests for articles from these journals through interlibrary loan and third-party document delivery services. The decision to eliminate these journals was...driven not only by current financial realities, but also —and perhaps more importantly— by the need to reassert control over our collections and to encourage new models for research publication at Harvard....Of greatest concern to the Digital Acquisitions Committee and to the University Library Council was the lack of any [Elsevier] option by which Harvard could prune its holdings and reduce its level of spending. Libraries wishing to cancel subscriptions could do so, but only by incurring steeply increased fees that obliterate any potential savings —while Elsevier's revenues continued to rise....Bundling has created an artificial environment that sustains journals that might otherwise not be viable on their own....The combined costs of Elsevier subscriptions far outrun even its closest competitors, while prudent cancellation decisions lead only to steeper fees. Like so many other institutions, Harvard's collections have become hostage to this situation. Declining the bundled agreement and intentionally reducing our outlay for Elsevier titles will ultimately give us the ability to respond to the marketplace unfettered by such artificial constraints."
Robin Peek, "Harvard Faculty Mandates OA," Information Today, April 1, 2008. This is an interview with Stuart Shieber after the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences voted unanimously for a green OA policy on February 12, 2008. Quoting Shieber: "At Harvard, serials duplication has been all but eliminated and serious cancellation efforts have been initiated. Monograph collecting has been substantially affected as well. In total, our faculty have seen qualitative reductions in access to the literature." (I link to a copy of the original article because the original URL is now dead.)
The Report of the Task Force on University Libraries, Harvard University, November 2009. "Even during the recent years of endowment growth, the libraries struggled to collect the books, journals, and other research materials desired by current faculty and students....The reasons for these difficulties are multiple, but include the steadily rising prices of monographs and journal subscriptions....The economic downturn has made this issue even more critical than in years prior. Because library budgets have been cut, journals will need to be cancelled, with attendant cancellation fees feeding a downward spiral....Harvard must become a more forceful participant in this negotiation, leverage its combined rather than distributed weight, and not be beholden to the prices and packages determined by the major publishing houses."
"Libraries on the Edge," The Harvard Gazette, January 2010. "Through centuries, Harvard's libraries have amassed rich collections and unique holdings. But now budgetary pressures that have been building during the past decade, and intensified in the past year, threaten the ability of the world's largest private library to collect works as broadly as it has in the past. In an interview, University Library director and Pforzheimer University Professor Robert Darnton called the situation 'a crisis in acquisitions.' "
Harvard's response to the first White House RFI on OA, January 22, 2010. "Harvard University...is not immune to the access crisis that motivates much of the campaign for public-access policies. In fact, the Harvard library system has gone through a series of serials reviews with substantial cancellations, and further cancellations will undoubtedly occur in the future."
Harvard's response to the second White House RFI on OA, January 14, 2012. "Even Harvard University, whose library is the largest academic library in the world, is not immune to the access crisis motivating much of the campaign for public-access policies. In fact, the Harvard library system has had to make a painful series of budget-driven journal cancellations, and we are deciding on a set of further cancellations at this very moment."
Testimony of Stuart Shieber, Professor of Computer Science and Director of Harvard's Office for Scholarly Communication, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, March 29, 2012. "The Harvard library system is the largest academic library in the world, and the fifth largest library of any sort. In attempting to provide access to research results to our faculty and students, the university subscribes to tens of thousands of serials at a cost of about 9 million dollars per year. Nonetheless, we too have been buffeted by the tremendous growth in journal costs over the last decades, with Harvard's serials expenditures growing by a factor of 3 between 1986 and 2004. Such geometric increases in expenditures could not be sustained indefinitely. Over the years since 2004 our journal expenditure increases have been curtailed through an aggressive effort at deduplication, elimination of print subscriptions, and a painful series of journal cancellations. As a researcher, I know that Harvard does not subscribe to all of the journals that I would like access to for my own research, and if Harvard, with its scale, cannot provide optimal subscription access, other universities without our resources are in an even more restricted position."
Faculty Advisory Council Memorandum on Journal Pricing, Harvard University, April 17, 2012. "Many large journal publishers have made the scholarly communication environment fiscally unsustainable and academically restrictive....Prices for online content from two providers have increased by about 145% over the past six years, which far exceeds not only the consumer price index, but also the higher education and the library price indices. These journals therefore claim an ever-increasing share of our overall collection budget. Even though scholarly output continues to grow and publishing can be expensive, profit margins of 35% and more suggest that the prices we must pay do not solely result from an increasing supply of new articles....The Faculty Advisory Council to the Library, representing university faculty in all schools and in consultation with the Harvard Library leadership, reached this conclusion: major periodical subscriptions, especially to electronic journals published by historically key providers, cannot be sustained: continuing these subscriptions on their current footing is financially untenable. Doing so would seriously erode collection efforts in many other areas, already compromised....Costs are now prohibitive...."
At pp. 30-32, I say, "Several sub-Saharan African university libraries subscribed to zero [subscription-based scholarly journals in 2008], offering their patrons access to no conventional journals except those donated by publishers." Add this note.
See Samuel Kwaku Smith Esseh, Strengthening Scholarly Publishing in Africa: Asessing the Potential of Online Systems, doctoral dissertation at University of British Columbia, 2011, at pp. 252-253: "In most research and university libraries in Africa, the data show a serious gap in terms of inadequate funding for journal subscriptions. While a total of 26% of libraries indicated with certainty that they had not budgeted for journal subscriptions, another 11% libraries were not sure if any budget had been set aside. Those who did report available funds (less than 8%) had a budget of between $250,001 and $500,000 for journal subscriptions. The majority (32, or 49%) had a yearly budget of between $1 and $250,000. When this range is further broken down and carefully examined, what is evident is that a total of 78% of librarians (within the $1-$250,000 budget range) reported a subscription budget of less than $100,000 per year."
At p. 32, I say, "In 2010, Elsevier's journal division had a profit margin of 35.7 percent while ExxonMobil had only 28.1 percent." Add this note.
The profit margin for STM publishing at Elsevier rose to 39% in 2013. See the Reed Elsevier Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2013. (Thanks to Heather Morrison.)
The profit margin for academic publishing at Informa, which owns Taylor & Francis, was 35% in 2013. See Informa's Full Year Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2013. (Thanks to Heather Morrison.)
See David Harvie, Geoff Lightfoot, Simon Lilley, and Kenneth Weir, What are we to do with feral publishers? Organization, August 14, 2012. Quoting from the self-archived edition: "Sage, the publisher of this journal, shows a gross profit across both books and journals of over 60 per cent. A smaller publisher, Emerald, which concentrates more on journals, is able to register a gross profit of over 75 per cent. Given that the perceived quality of the journal enables publishers to demand higher prices, and Emerald has relatively few highly ranked journals, it is likely that gross profits for journals for major publishers are even higher than the 77 per cent recorded by Emerald. We are aware of only two other industries where these sorts of return are on offer: that in illegal drugs and the delivery of university-level business education...."
At p. 33, I say, "[Most] big deals include confidentiality clauses preventing universities from disclosing the prices they pay. The effect is to reduce bargaining and price competition even further." Add this note.
Also see Elsevier's David Tempest defend confidentiality clauses in answer to a question at Oxford University, April 2013. Watch the video or read this portion of the transcript: "Stephen Curry...: I’m glad David Tempest is so interested in librarians being able to make costs transparent to their users, because at my university, Imperial College, my chief librarian can not tell me how much she pays for Elsevier journals because she’s bound by a confidentiality clause. Would you like to address that? [Loud applause for the question] David Tempest: Well, indeed there are confidentiality clauses inherent in the system, in our Freedom Collections. The Freedom Collections do give a lot of choice and there is a lot of discount in there to the librarians. And the use, and the cost per use has been dropping dramatically, year on year. And so we have to ensure that, in order to have fair competition between different countries, that we have this level of confidentiality to make that work. Otherwise everybody would drive down, drive down, drive drive drive, and that would mean that ... [The last part is drowned in the laughter of the audience.]"
For another kind of defense of confidentiality clauses, see Phil Davis, Non-Disclosure Agreements — Economic Tool or Kabuki Theatre? Scholarly Kitchen, May 29, 2012. Davis argues that signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and then violating them in private can help libraries more than abolishing NDAs. But he does not provide data on how many librarians follow this practice, and he does not argue that actual non-disclosure would help libraries more than disclosure.
At p. 33, I quote James McPherson's findings from 2003: "In 1986 [academic] libraries spent 44 percent of their budgets on books and 56 percent on journals; by 1997 the imbalance had grown to 28 percent for books and 72 percent for journals." Add this note.
See David Harvie, Geoff, Lightfoot, Simon Lilley, and Kenneth Weir, What are we to do with feral publishers? Organization, August 14, 2012. Quoting from the self-archived edition: "Since 1999, spending on books has fallen by almost a fifth in real terms, and from almost 12 per cent of libraries' total spending to just over 8 per cent. Expenditure on serials, on the other hand, has increased sharply: from just under £70 million to over £130 million. In real terms this represents an increase of 63 per cent; journals' share of total library spending rose from 16 per cent to almost 20 per cent."
See Robert Darnton, The New Age of the Book, New York Review of Books, March 18, 1999: "Until recently, monographs used to account for at least half the acquisitions budget of most research libraries. In 1996-1997, however, 78 percent of the acquisitions budget in the library of the University of Illinois at Chicago went for periodicals, 21 percent for monographs. Syracuse University’s library spent 75 percent on periodicals and 17 percent on monographs. The library at the University of Hawaii spent 84 percent on periodicals and 12 percent on monographs. (The numbers don’t add up to 100 percent, since there are other categories of expenditures.) The decline in the purchase of monographs among large research libraries over the last ten years comes to 23 percent."
At p. 33, I say, "[T]he journal crisis, concentrated in the sciences, has precipitated a monograph crisis, concentrated in the humanities." Add this note.
For evidence that the effect on book purchases was delayed, especially for university-press books, see Elisabeth A. Jones and Paul N. Courant, Killer serials: Did electronic journals really destroy the university press? Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 50, 1 (2013) pp. 1-11. "Our first research question asked whether there had actually been a downturn in library purchasing of university press books since 1985, and if so, whether that decline was temporally coincident with the sharp increases in serials prices that began in the 1980s and 1990s....[Q]uite intriguingly, the answer to the second question would appear to be a decisive no: only one library in the sample – the very smallest, at Barry University – shows a consistent decline in purchasing from university presses extending back to the 1980s. To the extent that any of the other libraries cut their purchasing from the sample presses, they tended to do so later, mainly around either 2000 or 2007 – dates which, likely not coincidentally, mark the beginnings of the two most recent major U.S. economic downturns....Libraries’ overall monographic purchasing may have gone flat in the 1980s and declined after 2000, but based on these data, the same cannot be said for their purchasing of university press monographs. Cutting those purchases truly does seem to have been a strategy of last resort, likely linked more closely to the overall economic conditions of the past decade than to the rising serials costs which came much earlier...."
At p. 34, I say, "Some publishers don't allow libraries to share digital texts by interlibrary loan and instead require them to make printouts, scan the printouts, and lend the scans." Add this note.
See Eric Hellman, eBook ILL is silly. The reason why will bore you, Go To Hellman, March 22, 2014. "But if a library can do digital ILL, what is to prevent libraries from sharing a resource so widely that only one library in the world needs to buy the item? The solution that e-journal publishers typically use is the "print-and-ship" solution. In other words, a library is allowed to send articles from a subscribed journal only if they print it out first. The transaction is thus identical to what it was back in the dark ages of ink and paper and xerox machines. For publishers, the friction of print-and-ship discourages libraries from canceling subscriptions; besides, the big-deal model of bundling many subscriptions into one has been much more advantageous for publishers than the document-delivery model that ILL competes with....Printing article PDFs and mailing them is a stretch, but mapping this model into ebooks is a farther stretch...."
At p. 37, I say, "Editors and referees donate the peer-review judgments to improve and validate [the] quality [of journal articles]." Add this note.
In endnote 13 (note call at p. 37, note text at p. 184) I cite a study showing that the value of this unpaid labor, worldwide, came to about £1.9 billion/year in 2008, or about $3 billion/year. However, the URL for that citation points to a news article about the study, not the study itself. First, the URL to the news article has changed to this: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/402189.article. Second, here's the full citation and proper link to the study itself: Activities, costs and funding flows in the scholarly communications system, Research Information Network, May 19, 2008. Third, here's an excerpt from the study at p. 8: "We have estimated the unpaid non-cash costs of peer review undertaken in the main by academics at £1.9bn globally each year [about $3bn]. If payment were to be made in cash to meet these costs, there would be a significant transfer of funds to academics and the HE sector globally. If universities were able to capture the payments made to peer reviewers, it might be possible to make these payments neutral in terms of university budgets. But our assumption is that the majority of payments would in effect form additions to salaries. Since the estimated breakeven price of a major discipline journal would increase by 43%, the result would be an increase in the costs of subscriptions to academic institutions globally of the order of £1.4bn. The estimated increase in the costs of subscriptions to UK libraries in the HE sector would be of the order of £53m, a rise of 45% compared with their current subscription expenditure."
At p. 37, I say, "Publishers argue that they add value to the submitted manuscripts, which is true. But other players in the game, such as authors, editors, and referees, add far more value than publishers." Add these notes.
See my article, Archived postprints should identify themselves, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, May 2, 2005: "If you tuned in late, I acknowledge that journals add value. It's a myth that OA wants to dispense with these valuable services....The true bone of contention is not whether these services are valuable but [whether they are worth what we pay for them, and] how to pay for the most essential services without creating access barriers for readers."
The value added by conventional publishers must be weighed against the value subtracted by their business model. See my article, Problems and opportunities (blizzards and beauty), SPARC Open Access Newsletter, July 2, 2007: "[A]fter [subscription-based] publishers add value through peer review and copy editing they feel financial pressure to subtract value by imposing password barriers, locking files to prevent copying or cutting/pasting, freezing data into images, cutting good articles solely for length, and turning gifts into commodities which may not be further shared."
OA publishers can add the same value as TA publishers. Hence, even if the added value is high, it's not an argument for TA over OA. It's merely an argument for publishing over non-publishing. Moreover, after adding value, OA publishers do not subtract value, as conventional publishers do.
See my article, Balancing author and publisher rights, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, June 2, 2007: In a position paper by the ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers), AAP/PSP (Association of American Publishers / Professional/Scholarly Publishing), and STM (International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers), "publishers are arguing that because they add value to the publication, they deserve exclusive rights in it....This is neither balanced nor good for research. Publishers do add value, primarily the organization of expert volunteers who provide peer review. But no matter how many other forms of publisher-added value we recognize, and no matter how we estimate their overall benefits, there's no doubt that publishers add *less* value to the final product than authors, who do the research and writing, and funders, who pay for the original research....There are two main reasons why we find ourselves in the odd situation in which publishers get to control access even though they add less value than authors or funders. The first is that publishers demand compensation for their services, while authors and funders do not. The second is that publishers believe the only way to be compensated is to control access and charge for it. This is their business model from the age of print, when it was physically impossible to make perfect copies for a worldwide audience at zero marginal cost. Their business model depends on scarcity, which for digital texts in a networked world is always artificial scarcity. Publishers are not appealing to the principle that adding value carries the right to control access. If they were, then all contributors who added value would have to share control. Nor are they appealing to the principle that the right to control access belongs to the contributor who adds the greatest value. If they were, they'd have to make a serious argument that their contribution is more valuable than the author's or funder's. They are demanding the right to control access because they need compensation for their services and choose a business model that depends on access barriers and artificial scarcity. Even if we don't think this situation is perverse and cries out for change, at least we should notice that their position is not about balance. It's about what publishers need or want, regardless of what authors need or want. Am I saying that publishers should join authors and funders in working without direct monetary compensation? Not at all. Publishers deserve to be paid for the value they add. But it doesn't follow that they deserve to control access...."
See Richard Smith, A great day for science, The Guardian, October 11, 2008. "Indeed, publishers arguably subtract value by Balkanising the research. Scientific research is fundamentally different from a thing, a car or a banana, in that ideas can be exchanged and increase exponentially without anybody losing. The more people have access to scientific ideas, the more new ideas." If I may paraphrase: TA publishers subtract value by blocking or diminishing network effects. Also see Smith's later piece, A bad bad week for access, The Guardian, June 28, 2012. "[OA is] taking a long time to come. The vested interests are huge, powerful, and well connected. None of the people who wrote the articles I've been accessing were paid for writing them. They are supported by public money, and publishers are making money by restricting access to their work. I argued to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission that far from adding value to the publishing process publishers are subtracting value. I stand by that, and I'm angry."
See Glenn S. McGuigan and Robert D. Russell, The Business of Academic Publishing: A Strategic Analysis of the Academic Journal Publishing Industry and its Impact on the Future of Scholarly Publishing, E-JASL: The Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship, Winter 2008. McGuigan and Russell quote from a Deutsche Bank report ("Reed Elsevier: Moving the Supertanker," Company Focus: Global Equity Research Report, January 11, 2005, p. 36, not online): "We believe the publisher adds relatively little value to the publishing process. We are not attempting to dismiss what 7,000 people at [Reed Elsevier] do for a living. We are simply observing that if the process really were as complex, costly and value-added as the publishers protest that it is, 40% margins wouldn't be available."
See Andrew Odlyzko, Open Access, library and publisher competition, and the evolution of general commerce, preprint, February 4, 2013. "As an author, I find that copy editing subtracts value, by forcing me to do extra work, usually for no good reason, and often to correct what the copy editors have done." This is my own experience as well.
See Richard Smith, The business of academic publishing: “a catastrophe”, The Lancet, October 6, 2018. "As I watched Paywall: The Business of Scholarship, I was taken back 30 years to when I thought for the first time about the business aspects of academic publishing. I was an assistant editor at the BMJ, and the editor asked me to join a meeting with a group of rheumatologists who wanted a share in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, a journal we owned. “We do the research published in the journal”, said one of the rheumatologists. “We do the peer review, we edit the journal, we read it, and we store it in our libraries. What do you do?” “Tell them what we do”, said the editor to me. I was at a complete loss."
At p. 39, I say, "Most scientific research is funded by public agencies using public money, conducted and written up by researchers working at public institutions and paid with public money, and then peer-reviewed by faculty at public institutions and paid with public money. Even when researchers and peer reviewers work at private universities, their institutions are subsidized by publicly funded tax exemptions and tax-deductible donations. Most toll-access journal subscriptions are purchased by public institutions and paid with taxpayer money." Add this note.
See Stuart Shieber, Public underwriting of research and open access, The Occasional Pamphlet, April 4, 2014. "The penetration of the notion of “taxpayer-funded research”, of “research their tax dollars have paid for”, is far greater than you might think....[A]ll university research benefits from the social contract with taxpayers that makes universities tax-exempt....It’s difficult to estimate the size of this form of support to universities. The best estimate I’ve seen puts it at something like $50 billion per year for the income tax exemption. That’s more than the NIH, NSF, and (hardly worth mentioning) the NEH put together. It’s on par with the total non-defense federal R&D funding....All university research, not just the grant-funded research, benefits from the taxpayer underwriting implicit in the tax exemption social contract. It would make sense then, in return, for taxpayers to require open access to all university research in return for continued tax-exempt status...."
At p. 39, I say, "Every scholarly journal is a natural mini-monopoly in the sense that no other journal publishes the same articles." Add this note.
See Peter Suber, "Preface" to Solomon, Laakso, and Björk, Converting Scholarly Journals to Open Access: A Review of Approaches and Experiences, Harvard Library, June 2016, p. 3, where I argue that this natural mini-monopoly is one reason (among other reasons) to favor flipping toll-access journals to OA over launching new OA journals. "[W]ithout question, new OA journals advance the primary goal of providing OA to more and more research. But they don't save libraries money, an important secondary goal. They don't save libraries money unless they justify the cancellation of existing subscription journals. But because different journals publish different articles, journals are not fungible, and free journals do not directly displace priced journals, or justify their cancellation, even when they exist in the same field and at the same level of quality. By contrast, every converted OA journal removes a subscription line from the budget of every subscribing library, without removing access to the journal's research. This frees up money for other good purposes, including the growth and sustainability of OA itself. It helps solve the inescapable background problem that the money needed to support high-quality OA in every field is largely tied up in subscriptions to conventional, non-OA journals. The alternative is to find significant new money for OA, which is as unlikely as it is unnecessary."
At p. 40, I say, "Laid on top of this natural monopoly are several layers of artificial monopoly." Add these notes.
See Mark McCabe, The impact of publisher mergers on journal prices: an update. ARL Bimonthly Report, #207, December 1999. "During the sample period (1988–1998) two significant mergers occurred: one between Pergamon (57 biomedical titles) and Elsevier (190) and the other between Lippincott (15) and Kluwer (75). To estimate the impact of these mergers on the prices of the biomedical journals being studied, a subset of data from the larger sample of medical libraries was analyzed. According to these empirical estimates, each of these mergers was associated with substantial price increases; in the case of the Elsevier deal the price increase was due solely to increased market power....For example, compared to premerger prices, the Elsevier deal resulted in an average price increase of 22% for former Pergamon titles, and an 8% increase for Elsevier titles. This asymmetry probably reflects the corresponding asymmetry in premerger journal portfolio size for the two firms. That is, Pergamon’s relatively small biomedical portfolio prevented it from realizing it could profitably set prices at the same level as Elsevier for journals in the same class. In the Lippincott/Kluwer merger, a 35% price increase in former Lippincott titles was due in part to increased market power, but also due in part to an apparent increase in the inelasticity of demand for the titles. That is, after the merger, Lippincott titles were even less likely to be cancelled. These results also contain a likely explanation for the persistent journal price inflation observed in most academic fields.10 The sensitivity of library demand to price increases is very small by normal standards (a 1% increase in price results in a 0.3% decline in subscriptions). Given this inelastic demand, publishers have a strong incentive to increase prices faster than the growth rate of library budgets...."
See Pritpal Tamber, Is Scholarly Publishing Becoming a Monopoly? BioMed Central News and Views, an editorial, October 3, 2000. "In recent years merger mania has dominated the professional publishing landscape....Between January 1998 and June 1999, the number of leading publishers in science/technology fell from 13 to 10 as Wolters Kluwer swallowed up Ovid Technologies and Plenum publishing, and the Thomson Corporation left the medical field entirely....At the same time, the medical publishing industry was reduced from eight to five leading publishers....However, all this activity would have paled to insignificance had a proposed merger between Reed Elsevier...and Wolters Kluwer taken place in 1998. This would have created the largest player in the professional publishing industry, leap-frogging the Thomson Corporation (which has little activity in the science/technology or medical markets). The merger failed after facing regulatory scrutiny...but the companies continued to make acquisitions of smaller companies, Reed Elsevier making up to 70 in 18 months....."
In the wake of Reed Elsevier's 2001 acquisition of Harcourt, the UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigated anti-competitive practices in the academic journal publishing industry. In September 2002 it issued its report, The market for scientific, technical and medical journals. In Chapter 5, the report lists "evidence that the market may not be working well", including hyperinflationary price increases (Section 5.1), higher prices at large for-profit publishers than small non-profit publishers (5.2 - 5.5), use of high-profit journals to subsidize low-profit journals (5.7), higher profit margins in STM fields than in other fields (5.9 - 5.11), and bundling (5.12 - 5.13). In Chapter 7, the OFT admits that the "evidence...gives cause for concern" but explains why it is reluctant to intervene. One reason, ironically, is that publisher price increases have been so excessive for so long that "a point may have been reached where it is in the interests of publishers, as well as customers, the level of price increases to be reduced" (7.2). Another reason, also ironic, is the incipient open-access movement (7.4 - 7.7). The report concludes that, "However, if competition fails to improve, or should additional significant information come to light, we may consider further action." Also see the OFT press release for the report. Prices have continued to rise faster than inflation since the report came out, but the OFT has not acted.
See Albert A. Foer, Can Antitrust Save Academic Publishing? A presentation at the American Library Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, June 28, 2004. At the time, Foer was the President of the The American Antitrust Institute. "Between the merger wave [in academic publishing] and the invention of the Big Deal, not only the nation but the English-speaking world seems to be headed for that dangerous territory in which a small number of individuals, working through international corporations, may gain the power to control important aspects of the production and distribution of critically important information. We have an obligation to stop this movement."
See Thomas M. Susman, Statement on Behalf of the Information Access Alliance, Prepared for the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission Hearings on Single-Firm Anticompetitive Conduct, November 2006. "The IAA believes that single-firm anticompetitive conduct accounts at least in some part for the serious problems confronting research libraries today. Our concerns include the rapid expansion of publisher bundles, the perceived lack of viable alternatives in the marketplace, the frequent demand for nondisclosure clauses in contracts, publishers' practices of requiring multi-year commitments, and the strict limitations on reducing the scale of bundles....In short, with their limited budgets and inability to reduce the numbers of titles within bundles, libraries are effectively restrained by the journal bundle from purchasing titles from other publishers. This, in turn, creates a major strategic entry barrier in the journals market that forecloses entry by new or smaller publishers and allows major bundling publishers to continue supracompetitive price increases...."
See George Monbiot, Academic publishers make Murdoch look like a socialist, The Guardian, August 29, 2011. "Whose monopolistic practices make Walmart look like a corner shop and Rupert Murdoch a socialist?...While there are plenty of candidates, my vote goes not to the banks, the oil companies or the health insurers, but...to academic publishers....Of all corporate scams, the racket they run is most urgently in need of referral to the competition authorities....You might resent Murdoch's paywall policy, in which he charges £1 for 24 hours of access to the Times and Sunday Times. But at least in that period you can read and download as many articles as you like. Reading a single article published by one of Elsevier's journals will cost you $31.50....Murdoch pays his journalists and editors, and his companies generate much of the content they use. But the academic publishers get their articles, their peer reviewing (vetting by other researchers) and even much of their editing for free....The returns are astronomical: in the past financial year, for example, Elsevier's operating profit margin was 36%....More importantly, universities are locked into buying their products. Academic papers are published in only one place, and they have to be read by researchers trying to keep up with their subject. Demand is inelastic and competition non-existent, because different journals can't publish the same material....What we see here is pure rentier capitalism: monopolising a public resource then charging exorbitant fees to use it....In the short term, governments should refer the academic publishers to their competition watchdogs....The knowledge monopoly is as unwarranted and anachronistic as the corn laws. Let's throw off these parasitic overlords and liberate the research that belongs to us."
Anti-competitive practices by publishers will only worsen as publishers merge and consolidate. To track this consolidation, monitor the page of Publisher Mergers maintained by the University of California Berkeley Library. (When I added this update, February 10, 2013, the page of mergers had last been updated on February 16, 2012.)
At p. 40, I say, "[L]arge commercial publishers charge higher prices and raise their prices faster than small, nonprofit [TA] publishers. Yet, the scholarly consensus is that quality, impact, and prestige are generally higher at the nonprofit society journals." Endnote 15 (note text at pp. 184-185) documents the claims about quality, impact, and prestige. Add these notes.
See Mathias Dewatripont, Victor Ginsburgh, Patrick Legros, and Alexis Walckiers, Pricing of Scientific Journals and Market Power, Journal of the European Economic Association, April-May 2007. Quoting from the self-archived edition: "We classified these journals into three categories: (a) FP journals published by for-profit publishers, (b) NFP journals managed by not-for-profit publishers (scientific societies, university presses, etc.), and NFPP journals published and distributed by FP firms on account of scientific societies....Our empirical investigation documents the following: [1] There exist large price differences across fields. [2] These differences seem to be correlated with the market power of publishers. The larger the concentration ratio, the larger the average price in a field, the price to which should be added the large difference between FPs, NFPPs and NFPs. [3] As a general rule, FP journals charge four times as much on average than NFP journals, for a given number of citations, age, language, number of articles, and field (or concentration ratio). Journals of scientific societies managed by FP publishers (NFPP) are twice as expensive as NFP journals (scientific societies exercise some control on prices). [4] Prices are positively correlated with quality measured by the number of citations they receive (even when citations are instrumented), and this effect is larger for FP journals....We take the first finding as indicative of the fact that substitution possibilities across journals are limited, allowing for a significant amount of discretion in the setting of journal prices....We confirm earlier research concerning the large price difference between FP and NFP journals, and show that prices of NFPP journals are somewhere in between. Moreover, we show that prices increase with citation counts and we have argued that costs should tend to fall when citation counts rise. This is consistent with “value-based pricing” (à la McCabe 2002, 2004) rather than with cost-based pricing, and is again indicative of publishers’ ability to exercise discretion in price setting, because journals and papers are hardly substitutes, and researchers need all of them...."
Most society publishers don't have the revenues or surpluses of the commercial giants. In 2010 Elsevier reported profit margins (36%) larger than those at ExxonMobil (28%); see p. 183n8. But most society journals are not in that league, and not even close. Many are in the red. Insofar as publisher profiteering is part of the argument for OA (and it needn't be), it only applies to the commercial giants, not to small, nonprofit society publishers.
Some societies join the commercial giants in lobbying against OA policies, and argue that OA is intrinsically harmful to society publishers, or that OA harms small nonprofit publishers as such. I make many concessions to society publishers, but I cannot make this one. Since 2007, Caroline Sutton and I have maintained a list of society publishers of OA journals. In 2007 we found 425 societies publishing 450 full (non-hybrid) OA journals. In 2011 we published a second edition of our list showing 530 societies publishing 616 full OA journals. After publishing our 2011 results, we posted our list to a Google spreadsheet open to community editing. As of February 24, 2014, it showed 848 societies publishing 801 full (non-hybrid) OA journals.
At p. 40, I say, "Large conventional publishers spend some of the money they extract from libraries on marketing and “content protection” measures that benefit publishers far more than users." Add this note.
At that point in the text I cite Roger Clarke, The cost profiles of alternative approaches to journal publishing, First Monday, 2007. But I should also have added a quotation from his piece. "For–profit publishers have higher cost–profiles than not–for–profit associations, because of the additional functions that they perform, in particular their much greater investment in branding, customer relationship management and content protection. The difference is particularly marked in the case of eJournals — a computed per–article cost of US$3,400 compared with US$730. This point is sufficiently significant that further examination is warranted...."
At pp. 40-41, I describe the sense in which librarians are more attuned to the journal pricing crisis than faculty. Add this note.
As a class, librarians are not only more knowledgeable about the issues, but more active in working to change the system of scholarly communication. In a July 2011 interview with Richard Poynder, I put it this way: "Librarians lobby for OA mandates. They write to their representatives in the legislature. They make phone calls and visit. They network and organize. They communicate with one another, with their patrons, and with the public. They launch, maintain, and fill repositories. They write up their experiences, case studies, surveys, and best practices. They pay attention. On average, they understand the issues better than any other stakeholder group, including researchers, administrators, publishers, funders, and policymakers...."
At p. 46, I quote from Thomas Jefferson's beautiful 1813 letter to Isaac McPherson. In endnote 24 (p. 187), however, I only cite a print edition of the letter. Here's an online edition as well. Appropriately, the relevant parts of the letter are reprinted in Philip Kurland and Ralph Lerner (eds.), The Founder's Constitution, University of Chicago, 1987, as annotations to the copyright clause in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8.
Chapter 3: Varieties
Section 3.1: Green and Gold OA
Section 3.2: Green and Gold as Complementary
Section 3.3: Gratis and Libre OA
oa.gold
oa.gratis
oa.green
oa.journals
oa.libre
oa.licensing
oa.misunderstandings
oa.predatory
oa.prestige
oa.quality
oa.repositories
oa.reuse
oa.speed
oa.strategies
At p. 50, I say, "Also like conventional journals, most [OA journals] are honest and some are scams." Add these notes.
For work on suspicious OA journals and publishers, the OA community is indebted to Richard Poynder and Jeffrey Beall. For example, see Richard Poynder's interviews with Bentham (April 2008), Dove Medical Press (November 2008), Libertas Academica (January 2009), Sciyo (February 2010), InTech (October 2011), OMICS (December 2011), and fellow investigator Jeffrey Beall (July 2012). Also see the many strands of Poynder's inquiry into Scientific Journals International (starting in July 2008). Similarly, see Jeffrey Beall's list of predatory publishers, list of predatory journals, and blog devoted to "critical analysis" of OA publishing. Update: Note that Beall took his list offline on January 15, 2017.
See the ten-year anniversary statement from the BOAI, which made recommendations for the next ten years, Ten years on from the Budapest Open Access Initiative: setting the default to open, September 12, 2012. Recommendation 4.1: "We should do more to make publishers, editors, referees and researchers aware of standards of professional conduct for OA publishing, for example on licensing, editorial process, soliciting submissions, disclosing ownership, and the handling of publication fees. Editors, referees and researchers should evaluate opportunities to engage with publishers and journals on the basis of these standards of professional conduct. Where publishers are not meeting these standards we should help them improve as a first step....As one means for evaluating a new or unknown OA publisher or OA journal, we recommend that researchers consult the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA) and its code of conduct....We encourage all OA publishers and OA journals to apply best practices recommended by OASPA or to seek membership in the association, which would entail a review of their practices and an opportunity to amend these where necessary."
See my article, Ten challenges for open-access journals, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, October 2, 2009, especially Section 6, "Doubts about honesty": "Are OA journals a scam? Are fee-based OA journals a scam? Are some fee-based OA journals scams? Do some observers believe that some fee-based OA journals are scams? Does this belief harm OA journals as a class? Although you edit or publish OA journals yourself, you probably gave one, two, or three "yes" answers to these five questions. That's the challenge....The challenge behind this challenge is that we rarely have more than grounds for suspicion. We'll often have doubts about our doubts about a journal's honesty. In my own mind, it's important to leave space to distinguish a scam from a clumsy start-up. An entirely honest but clumsy start-up might announce titles far in advance of their content and forget to disclose the editors or owners. My recommendation is two-sided. On the other hand, don't create a hostile or unwelcoming environment for new start-ups....Don't let ours become a revolution that eats its own children....The OASPA code of conduct is a beacon here. Not only does it say the right things: disclose your peer review process, your contact info, your fees, and don't spam. It is the voice of OA publishers themselves, not critics of OA publishers. It shows that OA publishers are willing to articulate these norms and willing to enforce them. It's public self-regulation. It's available for supporters, critics, and start-ups to consult it as an emerging standard....[T]he Davis/Anderson hoax from June 2009...made all OA journals look bad....You might quarrel with the word "all". Not all OA journals charge publication fees. Not all OA journals that do charge fees take the money and fail to deliver honest peer review, or even a cursory human glance. True and true. The actual number of journals like TOISCIJ [The Open Information Science Journal] is very small. But most people who hear about the Davis/Anderson hoax don't understand the distinctions among OA journals, just as most people who heard about the 1996 Sokal hoax didn't understand the distinctions among cultural studies journals or even among humanities journals. Jumping to the conclusion that the problem lies with OA as such or publication fees as such is not justified and not fair. But that's the challenge. By contrast, TA journal scams –-like the nine fake journals published by Elsevier–- seldom trigger generalizations about the faults of TA journals as such. From long familiarity, most academics have learned to discriminate among TA journals. But most are still learning to discriminate among OA journals."
How often are scholarly authors lured into these journals? See David Solomon and Bo-Christer Björk OA Coming of Age, The Scientist, August 6, 2012. "While poor quality publishers are proliferating, often creating hundreds of cookie-cutter journals, they tend to publish relatively few articles. On the other hand, PLoS recently published its 50,000th article. We reanalyzed data from a study we recently published in the Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology that characterized the APCs of journals charging them. We found that two thirds of the approximately 106,000 articles published in 2010 in these journals, listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals, were in publications listed by the 2010 Journal Citation Report (JCR) and another 11 percent were listed in the Scopus abstract and citation database but not in the JCR. The publishers of these indexes screen the journals they list for quality including ensuring that they are properly peer-reviewed. This suggests that the majority of scientists publishing in OA journals that charge APCs are savvy enough to avoid low quality publishers. It appears that they care about the quality of the journals in which they publish, as do the promotion and tenure committees that evaluate researchers. Beall and others have pointed out a legitimate concern with predatory publishing, but it is important to keep that concern in perspective."
For my suggestions on how to evaluate OA journals too new to have trustworthy reputations for high or low quality, see my online handout, How to make your own work open access (first put online October 2012, periodically updated).
At p. 50, I say, "As early as 2004, Thomson Scientific found that 'in each of the broad subject areas studied there was at least one OA title that ranked at or near the top of its field' in citation impact." Add this note.
Correction. I cite my source in endnote 2 at p. 187: Marie E. McVeigh, "Open Access Journals in the ISI Citation Databases: Analysis of Impact Factors and Citation Patterns Thomson Scientific," Thomson Scientific, October 2004. The source is correct, but the URL I used for the source is incorrect in two ways. First it uses ".eom" where it should use ".com". Second, even when corrected, the link is now dead. Here is a working link from the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, http://web.archive.org/web/20090806233855/http://science.thomsonreuters.com/m/pdfs/openaccesscitations2.pdf.
At p. 50, endnote 2 (note text at p. 187). Here I'm documenting the assertion that "The number of high-quality, high-impact OA journals has only grown" since the Thomson Scientific study in 2004.
See Mikael Laakso and Bo-Christer Björk, Anatomy of open access publishing: a study of longitudinal development and internal structure, BMC Medicine, October 22, 2012: "[T]he scientific impact of OA journals founded in the last decade, and in particular in biomedicine, is on par with similar subscription journals, as measured by average number of citations."
Also see Mikael Laakso and Bo-Christer Björk, Delayed Open Access – an overlooked high-impact category of openly available scientific literature, forthcoming in the Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2012: "A journal impact factor analysis revealed that delayed OA journals have on average twice as high average citation rates compared to closed subscription journals, and three times as high as immediate OA journals."
At p. 50, I say, "Like conventional publishers, there are a few large OA publishers and a long tail of small ones...." Add these notes.
See Salvatore Mele, First Results of the SOAP Project, a presentation at the Conference of the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association, Prague, August 23, 2010. The few large OA publishers are better about providing libre OA than the long tail of small ones. See esp. slides #7 and #10. Half of the 14 "large" OA publishers use CC licenses, most of them (82%) using CC-BY licenses and the rest (18%) using CC-BY-NC. Of the smaller OA publishers, only about one-fifth used CC licenses.
See Jan Erik Frantsvåg, The size distribution of open access publishers: A problem for open access? First Monday, December 2010. The long-tail of small publishers limits the ability of OA publishing to take advantage of economies of scale. "All these elements suggest that small–scale operation of OA publishing is economically inefficient, and that OA publishing best be organized in larger publishing institutions."
See William H. Walters and Anne Linvill, Characteristics of Open Access Journals in Six Subject Areas, College and Research Libraries, May 2011. "[T]he largest [OA journal] publishes more than 2,700 articles per year, but half publish 25 or fewer....Overall, the OA journal landscape is greatly influenced by a few key publishers and journals."
At p. 52-53: For clarity, read the terminology box on p. 53 before starting Section 3.1 on p. 52.
At pp. 54-55, I say, "One of the early victories of the OA movement was to get a majority of toll-access publishers and journals to give blanket permission for author-initiated green OA. But this victory remains one of the best-kept secrets of scholarly publishing, and widespread ignorance of it is the single most harmful consequence of green OA's invisibility." Add this note.
See the ten-year anniversary statement from the BOAI, which made recommendations for the next ten years, Ten years on from the Budapest Open Access Initiative: setting the default to open, September 12, 2012. Recommendation 1.7: "Publishers who do not provide OA should at least permit it through their formal publishing agreements....The minority of subscription-based publishers who do not yet allow author-initiated green OA, without payment or embargo, should adopt the majority position."
At p. 55, I refer to the "invisibility" of green OA. Add these notes on the general invisibility of green OA compared to gold OA (in chronological order).
See Ian Rowlands and Dave Nichols, New Journal Publishing Models: An International Survey of Senior Researchers, CIBER (Centre for Information Behaviour and the Evaluation of Research), September 22, 2005. The original link is dead and I can't find a live one. But here's an excerpt from the study, quoted in a blog post I wrote at the time: "Authors are not at all knowledgeable about institutional repositories: less than 10 per cent declared that they know 'a little' or 'a lot' about this development...."
See the Research Information Network, Researchers' use of academic libraries and their services, September 1, 2006, especially section 9.4. "Our survey shows a significant discrepancy between the proportion of librarians who say their institution has an open access institutional repository (52%) and the proportion of researchers who believe that their institution has such a repository (15%). As Figure 37 shows, the gap is even greater between the 20% of librarians who say they don’t know whether their institution has an open access institutional repository and the 72% of researchers who don’t know...."
See Faculty Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Scholarly Communication: Survey Findings from the University of California, from the UC a Office of Scholarly Communication and the California Digital Library eScholarship Program, August 2007. "In May 2006, a special committee of the UC Academic Council proposed that faculty routinely grant to the University a limited, nonexclusive license to place their scholarly publications in a noncommercial, publicly accessible online repository....Despite full faculty governance review and discussion, the survey revealed that the vast majority of the faculty was unaware of the proposal....[In addition to] the lack of faculty knowledge about the potential change in University policy (mentioned above)...respondents were overwhelmingly unaware of eScholarship services, a University-wide set of tools and electronic publishing services for enabling the electronic creation and dissemination of published and unpublished works. This is an interesting contrast to the relative success of eScholarship, as evidenced by the significant quantity, quality, and regularity of contributions and the heavy use that content receives...."
See Richard Poynder's interview with me from October 2007. In response to one of his questions, I described the situation this way: "The fact is that green OA has always had to fight for recognition. Its novelty makes it invisible. People understand OA journals, more or less, because they understand journals. But there's no obvious counterpart to OA archiving in the traditional landscape of scholarly communication. It's as if people can only understand new things that they can assimilate to old things. All of us [OA advocates] have had the experience of describing green OA at a meeting and then getting questions that presuppose that all OA is gold OA. All of us have seen critics object to green OA policies by pointing out supposed shortcomings of gold OA."
See Alma Swan, Key Concerns Within the Scholarly Communication Process, Key Perspectives, March 2008. This is a report to the JISC Scholarly Communications Working Group. "Researchers...think that placing work on their websites is an adequate substitute for depositing in a repository and have a poor appreciation of what institutional repositories are trying to achieve in general."
See Sue Thorn, Sally Morris, and Ron Fraser, Learned societies and open access: key results from surveys of biosciencesocieties and researchers, Serials, March 2009. "[R]espondents were confused about what was or was not a repository of self-archived material." (While I cite this study for the proposition that green OA has been invisible or misunderstood, I am critical of many of its other conclusions; see my blog post on it from July 2008, after the study had appeared as a report and before it was published as a journal article.)
At p. 55, I say, "Most publishing scholars will choose prestige over OA if they have to choose. The good news is that they rarely have to choose. The bad news is that few of them know that they rarely have to choose....There are two reasons why OA is compatible with prestigious publication, a gold reason and a green one...." Add this note.
On the first part of this assertion, that publishing scholars will choose prestige over OA, see the UK Survey of Academics 2012 from Ithaka S+R, JISC, and RLUK, May 14, 2013. At pp. 69-72 the authors interpret the results presented in Figure 40: "Three factors —all closely related to the prominence and reach of the publication— were rated as very important by more than 4 in 5 respondents: that the current issues of the journal are circulated widely, are well read by academics in their field, and have a high impact factor....And other factors —the journal’s accessibility in developing nations...and the journal making its articles freely available online so there is no cost to purchase or read them— were rated as important by less than a third of respondents overall." Ithaka reported similar results in its US Faculty Survey 2009 (April 2010); see pp. 25-26 and Figure 23. I discuss the 2009 version of the results in Unanimous faculty votes, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, June 2, 2010: "I don't dispute the Ithaka findings. In fact, I've often argued myself that scholars will choose prestige in their field over OA, when they have to choose. I've only tried to make clear that they rarely have to choose [here omitting citations to four earlier articles]....[I]t's not hard to reconcile this evidence with the evidence of the unanimous faculty votes [for university green OA policies]. The Ithaka finding is about gold OA, and the unanimous faculty votes are about green OA. Green OA policies allow faculty to submit their work to the journals of their choice. One of the primary reasons why OA mandates focus on green rather than gold OA (or repositories rather than journals) is precisely to preserve this sort of academic freedom. When the high-profile journals in a field are TA, then a green OA policy allows faculty to have the best of both worlds: prestige from the journal publishing the article and OA from the institutional repository. It's not at all surprising that faculty, or faculty who understand their OA options, will take the best of both worlds when they can. That explains both the preference for high-profile journals and the support for green OA. Meantime, more and more OA journals are moving into the top cohort of prestige and impact in more and more fields, a second reason why authors rarely have to choose between prestige and OA...."
At p. 55, I say, "If there are no prestigious OA journals in your field today, you could wait (things are changing fast), you could help out (by submitting your best work), or you could move on to green." Add this note.
On the second option, helping out, see the Faculty Advisory Council Memorandum on Journal Pricing, Harvard University, April 17, 2012. One of its recommendations is short and direct: "[M]ove prestige to open access."
At p. 57, I say, "[S]cholars who regularly read research in a...disciplinary repository, such as arXiv for physics or PubMed Central for medicine, readily grasp the rationale for depositing their work in OA repositories...." Add this note.
See my Predictions for 2008, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, December 2, 2007: "I predict that the rate of spontaneous self-archiving will start to rise significantly when the volume of OA literature on deposit in repositories reaches a critical mass. The mass will be critical when researchers routinely search repositories, or routinely find what they seek in repositories. Only by using repositories as readers will they appreciate the value of using them as authors. For now, this critical mass exists for the largest disciplinary repositories, such as arXiv and PubMed Central. We shouldn't expect it to exist for any single institutional repository, since researchers search for literature by topic or field, not by institution. But we can expect a critical mass to develop for the network of institutional repositories....[S]cholars who find articles in repositories must be led to realize that they are finding them in repositories. They need to see and credit the role of the repositories, not just the role of Google or OAIster or the search engine that brought them there."
At pp. 57-58, I say, "Because most publishers and journals already give blanket permission for green OA, the burden is on authors to take advantage of it....The reason the spontaneous rate [of self-archiving] is lower than the nudged, assisted, and mandated rate is rarely opposition to OA itself. Almost always it's unfamiliarity with green OA (belief that all OA is gold OA), misunderstanding of green OA (belief that it violates copyright, bypasses peer review, or forecloses the possibility of publishing in a venerable journal), and fear that it is time-consuming. In this sense, author unfamiliarity and misunderstanding are greater obstacles to OA than actual opposition, whether from authors or publishers." Add this note.
See Mikael Laakso, Green open access policies of scholarly journal publishers: a study of what, when, and where self-archiving is allowed, Scientometrics, forthcoming (c. May 2014). "Of the 1,1 million articles included in the analysis, 80.4% could be uploaded [with publisher permission] either as an accepted manuscript or publisher version to an institutional or subject repository after one year of publication....With previous studies suggesting realized green OA to be around 12% of total annual articles the results highlight the substantial unused potential for green OA....The threshold for making a green OA copy available voluntarily is in such cases low, but what remains to be aligned is author attitude."
At p. 58, I refer to the fear that self-archiving is time-consuming. But there is evidence to answer these fears. Add these notes.
See Leslie Carr and Stevan Harnad, Keystroke Economy: A Study of the Time and Effort Involved in Self-Archiving, Working Paper, University of Southampton, March 15, 2005 (Last Modified, March 2, 2012). Two months of log activity at an active institutional repository showed that "The median time for metadata entry is 5 minutes and 37 seconds per paper. The average is 10 minutes 40 seconds owing to the long tail of the distribution....A researcher who writes one paper per month would accordingly find themselves (or their designees) spending an average of...about 39 minutes per year in metadata entry tasks related to self-archiving." For a later version of the same study, see Leslie Carr, Stevan Harnad, and Alma Swan, A Longitudinal Study of the Practice of Self-Archiving, Working Paper, University of Southampton, April 20, 2007 (Last Modified, March 2, 2012).
See Alma Swan and Sheridan Brown, Open access self-archiving: An author study, Technical Report, University of Southampton, June 6, 2005. "Authors have frequently expressed reluctance to self-archive because of the perceived time required and possible technical difficulties in carrying out this activity, yet findings here show that only 20% of authors found some degree of difficulty with the first act of depositing an article in a repository, and that this dropped to 9% for subsequent deposits."
Also see the Survey on open access in FP7, European Commission, 2012. At p. 5: "The majority of respondents find it easy or very easy to have time or manpower to self-archive peer-reviewed articles...."
At p. 58, I say, "author unfamiliarity and misunderstanding are greater obstacles to OA than actual opposition." I already have some documentation on author unfamiliarity and misunderstanding in endnote 9 (note text at p. 189). Add these notes.
See Jenny Fry et al., PEER Behavioural Research: Authors and Users vis-à-vis Journals and Repositories: Final Report, August 2011. "There appears to be a lack of awareness of publishers’ open access embargo periods, with just over half of authors surveyed in phase 2 stating that they did not know or could not remember what embargo period, if any, was enforced by the publisher when they placed their article in an OAR [OA repository]....[D]uring the project there was some uncertainty identified over the precise meaning of the term ‘Open Access’, with focus group participants expressing uncertainty over what ‘Open Access’ really entails....However, the phase 1 findings indicate that general awareness of OA is growing compared to results from earlier seminal studies conducted by Rowlands et al. (2004) and Swan and Brown (2004, 2005)....The analysis of the free text responses received in the phase 1 survey also revealed a discrepancy between what was reported in the multiple choice questions and what researchers really understand OAR to be....Examples of low levels of awareness of institutional repositories included workshop participants learning of the existence of a repository at their institution through discussion with the research team at the workshop. Others were not always sure whether their institutional repository was OA or available for access only by members of the institution...."
See Claire Creaser et al., Authors Awareness and Attitudes Toward Open Access Repositories, New Review of Academic Librarianship, 16 (Supplement 1), October 2010, pp. 145-161. The authors have self-archived a copy, though it is not yet OA. "Levels of Open Access awareness do not necessarily equate to levels of repository awareness. For example, authors participating in the focus groups tended to associate Open Access with the “Gold Road.” Authors were asked to name suitable subject-based repositories and in some cases the “repositories” named were, in fact, Open Access journals and/or publishers (e.g., Biomed Central, PLoS)....[M]ost expressed some difficulty in defining what a repository was and what sort of material it might hold.... Some understood repositories to hold only working article series or pre-prints and were somewhat taken aback by the idea of submitting published articles to an institutional repository....Furthermore, authors tend to have a highly restrictive view of copyright permissions relating to pre-prints and post-prints. Significantly, they were unaware that a growing number of publishers support open access by allowing the deposit of stage-two manuscripts in repositories...."
At p. 65, I conclude my argument that we should pursue green and gold OA simultaneously. Add these notes.
For recent research on the relative proportions of green and gold OA in the natural sciences, broken down by field, see Bo-Christer Björk et al., "Open Access to the Scientific Journal Literature: Situation 2009," PLoS ONE, June 2010, especially Figure 4. Gold exceeds green in medicine, biology, and biochemistry, and green exceeds gold in every other field covered.
See Yassine Gargouri et al., Green and Gold Open Access Percentages and Growth, by Discipline, Working Paper, University of Southampton, June 16, 2012. "We compared the percent and growth rate of Green and Gold OA for 14 disciplines in two random samples of 1300 articles per discipline out of the 12,500 journals indexed by Thomson-Reuters-ISI using a robot that trawled the web for OA full-texts. We sampled in 2009 and 2011 for publication year ranges 1998-2006 and 2005-2010, respectively. Green OA (21.4%) exceeds Gold OA (2.4%) in proportion and growth rate in all but the biomedical disciplines....The spontaneous overall OA growth rate is still very slow (about 1% per year). If institutions make Green OA self-archiving mandatory, however, it triples percent Green OA as well as accelerating its growth rate."
See my article, Tectonic movements toward OA in the UK and Europe, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, September 2, 2012, in which I reaffirm my support for green and gold OA, as complementary, but criticize the Finch Report and new OA policy at the Research Councils UK (RCUK) for failing to take full advantage of green. "I'm not recommending a green-only policy. I support gold OA and I support paying for it. I acknowledge that (today) gold makes it easier than green to eliminate embargoes and ensure libre OA, and I strongly want to eliminate embargoes and ensure libre. More, I supporting demanding immediate libre OA in exchange for paying any part of the cost of publication. Green and gold are complementary, and I support a dual or mixed policy in order to get the advantages of each. My summary objection to the Finch recommendations and current RCUK policy is that they don't take sufficient advantage of green and, in the case of the Finch report, do not even acknowledge the advantages of green. As a result, the current RCUK/Finch policy will likely pay more than necessary, make the transition slower than necessary, leave a regrettable percentage of publicly-funded research non-OA, and put the business interests of publishers ahead of the access interests of researchers."
See my July 2013 interview with Richard Poynder: "I still believe that green and gold are complementary, and that in the name of good strategy we should take full advantage of each. From this perspective, my chief disappointment with the RCUK policy is that it doesn’t come close to taking full advantage of green."
At p. 69, I recommend CC-BY licenses for OA research, and mention some other organizations and initiatives that do so as well. Add this note.
See the ten-year anniversary statement from the BOAI, which made recommendations for the next ten years, Ten years on from the Budapest Open Access Initiative: setting the default to open, September 12, 2012. Recommendation 2.1: "We recommend CC-BY or an equivalent license as the optimal license for the publication, distribution, use, and reuse of scholarly work."
At pp. 72-73, I point out that most OA journals fail to offer libre OA. Add these notes.
See the ten-year anniversary statement from the BOAI with recommendations for the next ten years, Ten years on from the Budapest Open Access Initiative: setting the default to open, September 12, 2012. See esp. the second bullet of recommendation 2.1: "OA journals are always in a position to require open licenses, yet most of them do not yet take advantage of the opportunity. We recommend CC-BY for all OA journals."
Also see my article, The rise of libre open access, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, June 2, 2012. "The failure of 70% OA journals to offer any kind of open license is an embarrassment. It shows that most OA journals don't understand the benefits of libre OA, don't understand their own power to assure it, or both."
At p. 73, I say, "I’ve argued that it’s unfair to criticize the OA movement for disparaging gratis OA (merely on the ground that its public statements call for libre) or neglecting libre OA (merely on the ground that most of its success stories are gratis). But two related criticisms would be more just. First, demanding libre or nothing where libre is currently unattainable makes the perfect the enemy of the good. Fortunately, this tactical mistake is rare. Second, settling for gratis where libre is attainable makes the good a substitute for the better. Unfortunately, this tactical mistake is common, as we see from the majority of OA journals that stop at gratis when they could easily offer libre." Add this note.
See the ten-year anniversary statement from the BOAI with recommendations for the next ten years, Ten years on from the Budapest Open Access Initiative: setting the default to open, September 12, 2012. See esp. the third bullet of recommendation 2.1: "We should achieve what we can when we can. We should not delay achieving gratis in order to achieve libre, and we should not stop with gratis when we can achieve libre."
At p. 73, endnote 2 (note text at p. 191), I document the fact that most OA journals offer gratis but not libre OA. Add this note.
Note 20 at p. 191. Correction. I cite a page within the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) on the tally of DOAJ-listed journals using CC licenses. That URL is now dead. In its place, please see this newer page within the DOAJ on the tallies of DOAJ-listed journals broken down by the CC licenses they use. For a summary of the numbers nine months after the book came out, confirming the diagnosis made in the book, see my blog post for March 27, 2013.
At p. 73, I discuss the tactical mistakes of demanding "libre or nothing" when libre may be unattainable, and settling for gratis OA when libre is attainable. Add this note.
See the third bullet to Recommendation 2.1 of the BOAI-10 statement, September 12, 2012: "In developing strategy and setting priorities, we recognize that gratis access is better than priced access, libre access is better than gratis access, and libre under CC-BY or the equivalent is better than libre under more restrictive open licenses. We should achieve what we can when we can. We should not delay achieving gratis in order to achieve libre, and we should not stop with gratis when we can achieve libre."
Chapter 4: Policies
Section 4.1: OA Policies at Funding Agencies and Universities
Section 4.2: Digression on the Word "Mandate"
Section 4.3: Digression on the Historical Timing of OA Policies
oa.compliance
oa.funders
oa.funders.private
oa.funders.public
oa.implementation
oa.mandates
oa.policies
oa.policies.funders
oa.policies.universities
oa.universities
At p. 78, I start discussing OA policies at universities and funding agencies. Add this note.
See the ten-year anniversary statement from the Budapest Open Access Initiative, with recommendations for the next ten years, Ten years on from the Budapest Open Access Initiative: setting the default to open, September 12, 2012. Recommendation 1.1 calls for an OA policy at every university: "Every institution of higher education should have a policy assuring that peer-reviewed versions of all future scholarly articles by faculty members are deposited in the institution’s designated repository...." Recommendation 1.3 calls for an OA policy at every funding agency: "Every research funding agency, public or private, should have a policy assuring that peer-reviewed versions of all future scholarly articles reporting funded research are deposited in a suitable repository and made OA as soon as practicable."
At p. 78, I say that about one-quarter of peer-reviewed journals are OA. Add these notes.
By the time the book came out, the fraction was closer to one-third. In the book, I used the common industry estimate that there are about 25,000 peer-reviewed scholarly journals in all fields and languages. As of July 28, 2012, the Directory of Open Access Journals listed 8,000 peer-reviewed OA journals. Using the original estimate for the total number of peer-reviewed OA journals, this means that 32% of the total were OA in July 2012.
It's very difficult to get an accurate number for the total number of peer-reviewed journals in all fields and languages. 25k is still the most commonly used industry estimate. However, even limiting the count to titles indexed in Ulrich's, the number is now closer to 28k. See the discussion thread on this question at LibLicense in August 2012. (If we use 28k as the total number of peer-reviewed journals, then in July 2012, 28% were OA.) Moreover, there are reasons to think the Ulrich list is itself incomplete. See for example Jack Meadows, "The Growth of Journal Literature: A Historical perspective," in Blaise Cronin and Helen Barsky Atkins (eds.), The Web of Science. A Festschrift in Honor of Eugene Garfield, ASIS&T Monograph Series, 2000, pp. 87-107. In 1987, Meadows estimated that there were 71k peer-reviewed journals worldwide. (Thanks to Jean-Claude Guédon for the reference to Meadows.)
At p. 79, I say that there are no gold OA mandates. But several have been proposed. Add these notes.
In May 2006, Academy of Science of South Africa proposed a policy that would pay for gold OA, build the infrastructure for green OA, but stop short of mandating green OA. The original report is now offline, but I quoted relevant excerpts in a blog post at the time. "[T]he Department of Science and Technology [should take] responsibility for ensuring that Open Access initiatives are promoted to enhance the visibility of all South African research articles and to make them accessible to the entire international research community. Specifically: online, open access (“Gold route”) versions of South African research journals should be funded...." (My post praises the willingness to fund gold, but criticizes the unwillingness to mandate green.)
In March 2007, Australia's Productivity Commission proposed a gold OA mandate. The press release, report, and overview have been taken offline, but I quoted the relevant language in my blog post at the time. "A concern with mandating open access is that it would reduce the incentives for subscribers to pay for conventional journal access and, in turn, the incentives for publishers to supply journals. Mandated access would, therefore, be likely to require a new payment mechanism to elicit sufficient publishing services such as through the direct subsidisation of providers or of authors. Among the possible payment mechanisms, the Commission prefers an 'author pays' approach...." (My post includes criticism of the proposal.)
In a November 2009 interview, Henk Schmidt, Rector of Erasmus University Rotterdam, described his plans to require OA, with a preference for gold over green. "I intend obliging our researchers to circulate their articles publicly, for example no more than six months after publication. I’m aiming for 2011, if possible in collaboration with publishers via the 'Golden Road' and otherwise without the publishers via the 'Green Road'." In September 2010, he announced the school's new OA policy, which is green.
In January 2011 talk, J.J. Engelen, Chairman of the Governing Board of the primary public research funder in the Netherlands (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, or NWO), described his preference for a future gold OA policy. "These goals of scientic publishing are best reached by means of an open access publishing business model....Open access publishing should become a requirement for publicly funded research. In order to make open access publishing a success, the enthusiastic cooperation of the professional publishing companies active on the scientific market is highly desirable." (The talk was published later in 2011.)
The first link in the paragraph above is now dead (November 2013), and the Internet Archive has no copy "due to robots.txt." Can anyone help me find a working link to Engelen's January 2011 talk? Note that the urgency is low because the talk was later published, and I have a working URL to the published version in the last link in the paragraph above.
Also see my blog post from November 17, 2013 in which I quote two Dutch proposals for gold OA mandates, and argue that gold OA mandates are a bad idea.
In July 2012, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) published AusAID Research Strategy 2012–16, containing a new OA policy which could be construed as a gold OA mandate. From p. 1: "In support of the transparency agenda in the Government's aid policy we will: ...require researchers to publish in open access journals, or make pre-publication versions of their work available." The word "or" in the final clause might mean that if grantees provide (green) OA to their preprints, then they needn't publish in OA journals. So far I have not been able to determine how AusAID interprets that sentence. Also see my blog post on the policy.
In July 2012, the Research Councils UK announced a new OA mandate favoring gold over green, and the UK government accepted the recommendations of the Finch Group to the same effect. For analysis and critique, including some discussion of the sense in which they are and are not gold OA mandates, see my article, Tectonic movements toward OA in the UK and Europe, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, September 2, 2012. "The RCUK policy is not a gold OA mandate, or not a simple one, because in some circumstances it can be satisfied with green. But it deliberately steers authors toward OA journals and in that sense approaches a gold OA mandate. When the author's journal offers no suitable green option, the policy becomes a definite gold OA mandate. (Moreover, it's a gold policy with incentives for journals not to offer suitable green green options....)"
Also see the September 2013 report of the UK House of Commons Select Committee on Business, Innovation and Skills. The committee strongly criticized the RCUK and Finch Group for failing to acknowledge or appreciate the good reasons why all previous OA mandates have been green. See especially Paragraphs 25, 31-33, 61, 66, 70.
At p. 80, I start discussing rights-retention mandates. It should be clear from the text, and from many of my previous writings, that this is the model I favor. I reiterated and elaborated my position in October 2012 when Stuart Shieber and I released the first version of our guide to Good practices for university open-access policies. The guide distinguishes six kinds of policy, unlike the book which only distinguishes four. It explicitly recommends rights-retention policies with waiver options, and explains why that model is preferable to other models.
At p. 81, endnote 7 (note text at p. 194). At the end of this note, I cite Frankel and Nestor's 2010 legal analysis showing that Harvard-style rights-retention policies successfully avoid copyright problems.
For a more recent legal analysis coming to the same conclusion, see Eric Priest, Copyright and the Harvard Open Access Mandate, Northwestern Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property, preprint August 1, 2012, published version forthcoming. Also see Stuart Shieber's blog post on Priest's article, Is the Harvard open-access policy legally sound? The Occasional Pamphlet, September 17, 2012.
At p. 82, I say, "Because shifting the default is enough to change behavior on a large scale, waiver options don't significantly reduce the volume of OA. At Harvard, the waiver rate is less than 5 percent and at MIT it's less than 2 percent." Add this note.
See my article, Three principles for university open access policies, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, April 2, 2008. "Some shortfall from 100% OA is probably inevitable, like the friction in a machine, and a small shortfall is harmless. I even believe that some deliberate exceptions (as opposed to unintended failures) could be desirable, for example, to muster support to pass the policy and to accommodate unexpected circumstances. We don't have to pretend to anticipate unanticipated cases; it's enough to make OA the default....My preference is to think about which policy will bring an institution closest to 100% OA (Principle 1) without violating academic freedom (Principle 2)...."
At p. 84, line 13. Correction. "...journal are..." should be "...journals are...." (This correction applies only to the first print edition and the earliest digital editions.)
At p. 86, I say, "For detailed recommendations on OA policy provisions, and specific arguments for them, see my 2009 analysis of policy options for funding agencies and universities." Add this note.
Also see Stuart Shieber and Peter Suber (eds.), Good practices for university open-access policies, Harvard Open Access Project, first released October 2012 and regularly updated since.
At p. 86, endnote 12 (note text at pp. 195-196).
At p. 196, line 4. Correction. "...in the institutional review..." should be "...in the institutional repository...." (This correction applies only to the first print edition and the earliest digital editions.)
In July 2012, the Catholic University of Louvain strengthened its OA mandate from July 2008 to follow the promotion, tenure, and internal funding incentives used at the University of Liege. When the new Louvain policy takes effect on January 1, 2013, "the Academic Council will only consider duly deposited publications in its internal research performance evaluations and that deposit will also be one of the criteria in the allocation of institutional research funds."
For a regularly updated list of institutions recommending that committees evaluating candidates for promotion, tenure, funding, awards, or other purposes should only review articles on deposit in the institutional repository, see the entry on Internal use of deposited versions in Stuart Shieber and Peter Suber (eds.), Good practices for university open-access policies, Harvard Open Access Project, first released October 2012.
At p. 86, I start the subsection titled, Digression on the Word "Mandate". Add this note.
Wikipedia formerly had an article Open-access policies, which now redirects to the article Open-access mandate. This is a mistake, like redirecting from cats to tigers. It's a mistake even if you like tigers better than other cats. OA mandates are a proper subset of OA policies, just as tigers are a proper subset of cats, and Wikipedia needs a place to discuss non-mandatory policies. The article recognizes this, and covers non-mandatory policies alongside mandatory ones. But by covering them all in the article on mandates, it further stretches the term "mandate" and needlessly undermines attempts to make OA terminology less ambiguous. Moreover, it gives needless new ammunition to those critics and opponents whose objections are based more on the connotations of the word "mandate" than on the the actual provisions of mandatory OA policies.
At p. 89, endnote 16 (note text at pp. 196-197). Here I'm documenting the claim that "Alma Swan's empirical studies of researcher attitudes show that an overwhelming majority of researchers would 'willingly' comply with a mandatory OA policy from their funder or employer." Add a note.
A May 2011 survey from the European Commission shows similar researcher attitudes toward open data mandates. See Survey on open access in FP7, European Commission, 2012, p. 7. "Three quarters of those respondents with an opinion would agree or strongly agree with an open access mandate for data in their research area, providing that all relevant aspects (e.g. ethics, confidentiality, intellectual property) have been considered and addressed....Only a small number of respondents, 13 %, have no opinion on the question."
At p. 93 endnote 20 (note text at pp. 197-199). Here I list some examples of libre green OA. I list and discuss many more in The rise of libre open access, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, June 2, 2012.
At pp. 94-95, I argue that policy-makers should watch for the moment when they could strengthen green gratis OA policies into green libre policies. Add this note.
See the ten-year anniversary statement from the BOAI, which made recommendations for the next ten years, Ten years on from the Budapest Open Access Initiative: setting the default to open, September 12, 2012. Recommendation 2.1, first bullet: "OA repositories typically depend on permissions from others, such as authors or publishers, and are rarely in a position to require open licenses. However, policy makers in a position to direct deposits into repositories should require open licenses, preferably CC-BY, when they can."
Chapter 5: Scope
Section 5.1: Preprints, Postprints, and Peer Review
Section 5.2: Theses and Dissertations
Section 5.3: Books
Section 5.4: Access to What?
Section 5.5: Access for Whom?
Section 5.5.1: OA for Lay Readers
Section 5.5.2: OA for Machines
oa.ai
oa.books
oa.discoverability
oa.etds
oa.industry
oa.lay
oa.mining
oa.peer_review
oa.preprints
oa.search
At p. 97, I say that OA "is not limited to publicly-funded research, where the argument is almost universally accepted, but includes privately funded and unfunded research." Add these notes.
Funding agencies with strong OA policies include both public and private agencies. Among the major private funding agencies with OA policies are the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Open Society Foundations, and Wellcome Trust. Universities with strong OA policies cover all faculty research articles, regardless how or whether the underlying research was funded.
See Cory Doctorow, Why all pharmaceutical research should be made open access, The Guardian, November 20, 2012: "The reason pharma companies should be required to publish their results [and make them OA] isn't that they've received a public subsidy for the research. Rather, it is because they are asking for a governmental certification saying that their products are fit for consumption, and they are asking for regulatory space to allow doctors to write prescriptions for those products. We need them to disclose their research – even if doing so undermines their profits – because without that research, we can't know if their products are fit for use."
At p. 100, I say, "The purpose of OA is to remove access barriers, not quality filters. Today many peer-reviewed OA journals are recognized for their excellence...." Add this note.
Gabriel M. Peterson, Characteristics of retracted open access biomedical literature: A bibliographic analysis, Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, December 2013: "Open access literature does not differ from fee-for-access literature in terms of impact factor, detection of error, or change in postretraction citation rates. Literature found in the PubMed Central Open Access subset provides detailed information about the nature of the anomaly more often than less accessible works. Open access literature appears to be of similar reliability and integrity as the population of biomedical literature in general, with the added value of being more forthcoming about the nature of errors when they are identified."
At pp. 102-103, I say, "As soon as scholars had digital networks to connect peers together, they began using them to tinker with peer review. Can we use networks to find good referees, or to gather, share, and weigh their comments? Can we use networks to implement traditional models of peer review more quickly or effectively? Can we use networks to do better than the traditional models?" Add this note.
See the editorial in Nature, Tracker is a boon for innovation in peer review, March 5, 2019. "Barely a week goes by without a new proposal to improve peer review: how to make it faster, better at spotting errors, more transparent, less prone to bias, less burdensome."
At p. 103, I say, "Open access is a kind of access, not a kind of editorial policy." Add this note.
See Peter Suber, Open Access Overview (original 2004, frequently updated since then), in which I elaborate. "OA is a kind of access, not a kind of business model, license, or content. [1] OA is not a kind of business model. There are many business models compatible with OA, i.e many ways to pay the bills so that readers can reach the content without charge....[2] OA is not a kind of license. There are many licenses compatible with OA, i.e. many ways to remove permission barriers for users and let them know what they may and may not do with the content....[3] OA is not a kind of content. Every kind of digital content can be OA, from texts and data to software, audio, video, and multi-media. The OA movement focuses on peer-reviewed research articles and their preprints. While most of these are just text, a growing number integrate text with images, data, and executable code. OA can also apply to non-scholarly content, like music, movies, and novels, even if these are not the focus of most OA activists."
Note that the same is true for the openness of open-source software. See Alexa Morales, Neha Narkhede: Open Source Isn’t A Business Model, It's A Distribution Strategy, Forbes, March 12, 2019.
At p. 104, I argue that the quality of a journal does not depend on its price or medium. "We see this whenever toll-access journals convert to OA without changing their methods or personnel." Add this note.
See Peter Suber, "Preface" to Solomon, Laakso, and Björk, Converting Scholarly Journals to Open Access: A Review of Approaches and Experiences, Harvard Library, June 2016, p. 3, where I give several reasons to favor flipping toll-access journals to OA over launching new OA journals. Here's the last of them: "New journals start from scratch, while converted journals bring their readership, authors, editors, referees, quality, standards, and reputations with them. This matters because all new journals – OA and non-OA alike – start with a credibility problem aggravated by a vicious circle. They need a good reputation in order to attract good submissions, and they need good submissions in order to build a good reputation. Many born-OA journals have broken this vicious circle through high quality, hard work, and persistence, just as many other high-quality born-OA journals have failed to break it. But converted-OA journals bypass the vicious circle and don't need to break it. Their credibility is continuous and uninterrupted. Conversion brings uncommon benefits that make it desirable even in fields where there is no shortage of high-quality, born-OA journals."
At p. 105, endnote 4 (note text at pp. 199-200), I cite research showing that "[w]hile...fears [that making a thesis or dissertation OA will reduce the odds that a journal will publish an article length version] are sometimes justified, the evidence suggests that in most cases they are not." Add these notes.
See Marisa Ramirez and five co-authors, Do Open Access Electronic Theses and Dissertations Diminish Publishing Opportunities in the Sciences? College and Research Libraries, forthcoming, January 2015: "Though previous studies have shown that journal editors are willing to consider manuscripts derived from electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs), faculty advisors and graduate students continue to raise concerns that online discoverability of ETDs negatively impact future opportunities to publish those findings. The current study investigated science journal policies on open access ETDs and found that more than half of the science journals contacted (51.4%) reported that manuscripts derived from openly accessible ETDs are welcome for submission and an additional 29.1% would accept revised ETDs under certain conditions."
See Gail Macmillan, Jordan Hill, and Karen DePauw, ETDs and Open Access: Understanding the Digital Landscape of Open Access in the Graduate School Arena, October 21, 2013. From slide 5: "Only 3 universities in the US reported that they do not make any of their ETDs publicly available. 1/3 of the US respondents and over half of the I’nat’l institutions make their entire ETD collections publicly available." From slide 9: "Few institutions embargo ETDs permanently; only one in each category [US and non-US]. One year or more seems to be the norm worldwide." From slide 13: "89% [of surveyed publishers in the social sciences and humanities] will accept manuscripts based on ETDs." From slide 14: "Journal editors are more enthusiastic about receiving submissions based on ETDs than are university presses. Two-thirds of the journals “always welcome” submissions from ETDs, while one-tenth of the university presses do. This is not to say the university presses discourage submissions based on ETDs. Nearly half consider ETD-based submissions on a case-by-case basis."
See Can't Find It, Can't Sign It: On Dissertation Embargoes, Harvard University Press Blog, July 26, 2013. "From our perspective [at Harvard University Press], a missing element in [concerns that OA will prevent future publication of the dissertation as a book]...is the possibility of a dissertation's availability actually working in favor of a young scholar seeking a contract. HUP Assistant Editor Brian Distelberg, for instance, notes how a project's discoverability can be the means by which his interest is sparked: "I'm always looking out for exciting new scholarship that might make for a good book, whether in formally published journal articles and conference programs, or in the conversation on Twitter and in the history blogosphere, or in conversations with scholars I meet. And so, to whatever extent open access to a dissertation increases the odds of its ideas being read and discussed more widely, I tend to think it increases the odds of my hearing about them." ...An enormous part of a university press acquisitions editor's job is to be out scouting for new voices, new ideas, and new inquiries. And as Distelberg notes, much of that scouting takes place online, where these conversations are happening. If you can't find it, you can't sign it."
See Marisa Ramirez and four co-authors, Do Open Access Electronic Theses and Dissertations Diminish Publishing Opportunities in the Social Sciences and Humanities?, College and Research Libraries, July 2013: "The findings indicate that manuscripts that are revisions of openly accessible ETDs are always welcome for submission or considered on a case-by-case basis by 82.8 percent of journal editors and 53.7 percent of university press directors polled....Only 4.5 percent of all respondents indicated that they would never consider an ETD for publication...."
See Jennifer Howard, Putting Dissertation Online Isn't an Obstacle to Print Publication, Surveys Find, Chronicle of Higher Education, December 12, 2012: "Are you a science graduate student worried that making your thesis or dissertation available online will hurt your chances of getting it published? Gail McMillan, director of the digital library and archives at Virginia Tech, has good news for you. In a recent survey of science-journal editors, 87 percent indicated they would consider articles drawn from openly accessible electronic theses and dissertations, or ETD's....Many students and their faculty advisers, however, cling to the idea that publishers will balk at publishing work if it's already freely available online. Ms. McMillan has found that those fears cut across disciplinary lines. Decisions about whether to restrict access to electronic work tend to be driven by anecdote, she said, and faculty members tend to play it safe when dispensing career advice. "I think faculty want to err on the side of caution," she said. "I wish they would look at the data." ...The results of the 2012 survey have not yet been published. The results of the 2011 survey are available in an article, "Do Open-Access Electronic Theses and Dissertations Diminish Publishing Opportunities in the Social Sciences and Humanities?," forthcoming in the journal College & Research Libraries and available now as a preprint...."
See Kate Valentine Stanton and Chern Li Liew, Open access theses in institutional repositories: an exploratory study of the perceptions of doctoral students, Information Research, December 2011. "While awareness of open access and repository archiving is still low, the majority of interview and survey respondents were found to be supportive of the concept of open access. The perceived benefits of enhanced exposure and potential for sharing outweigh the perceived risks. The majority of respondents were supportive of an existing mandatory thesis submission policy."
For a growing list of the policies of individual publishers, see Publisher Policies: Thesis content and article publishing, maintained by Scholarly Publishing @ MIT Libraries.
At p. 107, I say, "Royalties on most scholarly monographs range between zero and meager." Add this note.
See Things You Should Know Before Publishing a Book, Chronicle of Higher Education, July 29, 2014, Rachel Toor's interview with Elizabeth Knoll, an editor for 17 years at Harvard University Press. Quoting Knoll: "Sad to say, it's extremely unlikely that your book is going to make you or your publisher any real money....You can probably make more money having a first-class yard sale."
At pp. 109-110, endnotes 8-10 (note texts at pp. 200-202), I cite research showing that OA to full-text books sometimes increases the net sales of print editions. Add these notes.
See Caroline Wintersgill, Open Access, Open Minds: Who should be the academic gatekeepers? politics|upside|down, October 11, 2013: "[M]y experience at Bloomsbury is that average commercial sales of ‘open’ titles are about 10% ahead of comparable ‘non-open’ titles."
See Brianna L. Schofield et al., Understanding and Negotiating Book Publication Contracts, Authors Alliance, October 2018, pp. 61-62. "Eric von Hippel, an economist at MIT..., studies the economics of distributed and open innovation. Professor von Hippel wanted to "walk the walk" and make his previously published book, Sources of Innovation, freely available to the public online. So, he struck a deal with his publisher: If hard copy sales declined after he made his book freely available online, he would pay the publisher $1,000 as compensation for lost sales. If sales went up, the publisher would keep the profits and allow him to keep posting the free version. Happily, sales of printed copies went up, so he was able to keep the free version available online. Based on the success of this experiment, von Hippel was able to negotiate a non-exclusive license with his publisher for his next two books, Democratizing Innovation and Free Innovation."
For real-time news and comment on this question, follow the oa.books.sales tag at the Open Access Tracking Project.
At pp. 114-15, I say, "We need access to medical or physical research before we can use it to tackle a cure for malaria or devise a more efficient solar panel." If I were writing the book today, I'd add a section on unmet demand for access by research-based business, industry, and manufacturing. This material doesn't belong in Section 5.5.1, on access for lay readers, because those who need access in these businesses are not lay readers but research professionals. And most of the rest of the book focuses on research professionals in the academic world, not research professionals in the non-academic world. But for now, I'll use this passage at pp. 114-115 as the hook for adding updates and supplements on research-based business, industry, and manufacturing. Add these notes.
See the Obama White House directive of February 22, 2013, requiring the largest federal funding agencies to develop OA mandates within the next six months. "Scientific research supported by the Federal Government catalyzes innovative breakthroughs that drive our economy. The results of that research become the grist for new insights and are assets for progress in areas such as health, energy, the environment, agriculture, and national security. Access to digital data sets resulting from federally funded research allows companies to focus resources and efforts on understanding and exploiting discoveries. For example, open weather data underpins the forecasting industry, and making genome sequences publicly available has spawned many biotechnology innovations. In addition, wider availability of peer-reviewed publications and scientific data in digital formats will create innovative economic markets for services related to curation, preservation, analysis, and visualization. Policies that mobilize these publications and data for re-use through preservation and broader public access also maximize the impact and accountability of the Federal research investment. These policies will accelerate scientific breakthroughs and innovation, promote entrepreneurship, and enhance economic growth and job creation."
See Australian Government's Office of the Chief Scientist, Top Breakthrough Actions for Innovation, December 2012, p. 6. "Breakthrough Action Two: Business must have increased access to publicly funded expertise, infrastructure and open-access to research data, especially in areas of national priority....Specific actions:...Provide free and open access to data and other outputs of publicly funded research."
See Darrell West, Allan Friedman, and Walter Valdivia, Building an Innovation-Based Economy, The Brookings Institution, November 2012. "One of the most important policy questions about innovation is how the nation can extract the maximum social benefit from its investments in research and development....The protection of intellectual property (patents and copyrights) introduces the profit incentive to inventive activity, but this is a rather ineffective incentive if the innovator does not or cannot pursue profit. That is precisely the case of public R&D because the general expectation is that new knowledge created with taxpayers’ money may be made available to taxpayers at minimum cost....The expectation of a wide dissemination of public research has inspired a bill that is currently being considered in Congress. We should support the Federal Research Public Access Act...that mandates public dissemination of federally funded research within six months of publication..." (Emphasis in original.)
See Francie Diep, Startups Root for Cheaper Peeks at Scientific Papers, NBC News, May 24, 2012. "Meanwhile, a group of important stakeholders in the dispute tends to be overlooked: startups and small businesses. Small biomedical and energy companies, for example, read many academic papers....[T]he small-company founders we interviewed agreed that they would benefit from freer access....'Obviously we have to keep up on the latest science out there,' said Brian Glaister, CEO of a Seattle-based startup called Cadence Biomedical. His company is working on a spring-powered device that people with weak legs can wear to help them walk. 'It's a pain in the butt if we can't get access' to a paper, Glaister said....He says his company, which plans to launch its first commercial product in a few weeks, cannot afford the small-company subscription deals that publishers offer: He needs access to so many journals by so many publishers, the total cost would be prohibitive....Another small company that feels the pinch of paying for journal articles is AltaRock Energy, a geothermal energy startup also based in Seattle...."
See Harvard University's January 2012 response to the first question in the White House call for comments on OA to peer-reviewed scholarly publications resulting from federally-funded research. "Businesses need access to cutting-edge research to stimulate innovation, for example to develop new medicines, reduce the size and energy requirements of computer chips, strengthen lightweight composite materials, reduce harmful emissions from fossil fuels, increase the efficiency of solar panels, and make food safer. Public access to publicly funded research nourishes R&D in these industries, allowing them to develop new products, improve existing products, and create jobs. The question is not whether useful, publicly funded, basic or pre-competitive research will continue. Even in an age of budget cuts, it will continue. The question is whether we will make the results of that research easily available to all those who can make use of it, or whether we will allow it to be locked down by a private interest at the expense of the public interest....Public access not only facilitates innovation in research-driven industries such as medicine and manufacturing. It stimulates the growth of a new industry adding value to the newly accessible research itself. This new industry includes search, current awareness, impact measurement, data integration, citation linking, text and data mining, translation, indexing, organizing, recommending, and summarizing. These new services not only create new jobs and pay taxes, but they make the underlying research itself more useful. Research funding agencies needn't take on the job of provide all these services themselves. As long as they ensure that the funded research is digital, online, free of charge, and free for reuse, they can rely on an after-market of motivated developers and entrepreneurs to bring it to users in the forms in which it will be most useful. Indeed, scholarly publishers are themselves in a good position to provide many of these value-added services, which could provide an additional revenue source for the industry."
See John Houghton, Alma Swan, and Sheridan Brown, Access to research and technical information in Denmark, a report commissioned by Denmark’s Agency for Science, Technology, and Information (Forsknings- og Innovationsstyrelsen) and Denmark's Electronic Research Library (Danmarks Elektroniske Fag- og Forskningsbibliotek), April 2011. "Research articles, patent information, scientific and technical standards, technical and market information were seen as the most important information sources [for small and medium-sized businesses, SMEs]. Forty eight per cent rated research articles as very or extremely important, and among those in research roles a higher 64% did so....More than two-thirds reported having difficulties accessing market survey research and reports and Doctoral or Masters theses, 62% reported difficulties accessing technical reports from government agencies and 55% reported difficulties accessing research articles....[R]esearch articles and market survey research and reports are seen to be both important and difficult to access...Use of Open Access materials is widespread. More than 50% used free institutional or subject repositories and Open Access journals monthly or more regularly, and among researchers 72% reported using free institutional or subject repositories and 56% Open Access journals monthly or more regularly....Access barriers and delays involve costs. It would have taken an average of 2.2 years longer to develop or introduce the new products or processes in the absence of contributing academic research. For new products, a 2.2 years delay would cost around DKK 36 million (EUR 4.8 million) per firm in lost sales, and for new processes it would cost around DKK 211 000 per firm."
See Harnessing Openness to Improve Research, Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the business-oriented Committee for Economic Development, November 2009. "This more open model of research is consistent with the research mission of the university to create and disseminate knowledge —and appears to lead to both broader and deeper research while increasing the pace of innovation....Not only do we believe that the NIH policy is consistent with copyright law and good public policy —to increase the pace of innovation and avoid making the taxpayer pay twice for taxpayer-funded research —but we believe that the public-access mandate should be expanded....The intellectual property arguments that have been invoked to oppose public-access mandates for government-funded research and the digitization and partial display of the world’s books suggest to us the need to recalibrate our intellectual property rules for the digital age. Intellectual property rules should serve not only those who first create a work (and subsequent rights holders) but should also recognize the needs of users who often are follow-on creators....Governments should...[r]eview and recalibrate intellectual property rules recognizing the increasing importance for innovation of users as follow-on innovators....Why should we care about the degree of openness? Over the course of our work we have found that greater openness fosters quicker and broader innovation, primarily because of the potential for many more people to contribute....Expanding the rights of first innovators leaves less room for follow-on innovation by users, leading to its underproduction."
Also see the letter supporting the proposed OA mandate at the NIH from the US Chamber of Commerce, October 22, 2004. "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector, and region, is pleased to provide the following comments concerning the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) proposed action: Enhanced Public Access to NIH Research Information.' ...The Chamber strongly supports NIH’s effort to ensure that scientific information arising from NIH-funded research is made freely available....The Chamber strongly disagrees with the proposed six-month delay for publishing taxpayer-funded information [and recommends immediate or undelayed OA]....With ready access to such taxpayer-funded information, stakeholders are better informed and able to engage in constructive, informed public dialogue with others, resolve uncertainties, and, relevant to business interests, the Chamber’s members are better able to plan future business operations. This outcome is good for America and good for American industry, as it will create new business opportunities, thereby strengthening our economy and making America more competitive in the global marketplace." Note that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reversed course, and by 2010 opposed federal policies to mandate OA for publicly-funded research. One thing that happened between 2004 and 2010 is that Elsevier joined the organization.
Also see the updates and supplements for p. 133, below, on studies showing that the economic benefits of OA exceed the costs. Some of the studies cited there focus on benefits to non-academic sectors of the economy.
At p. 115, I say, "We need access to an earthquake prediction before we can use it to plan emergency responses." Also see endnote 13 at p. 202. Add this note.
There are many other examples of predictions with life-saving potential locked behind paywalls. For example, see Bernice Dahn et al., Yes, We We Warned About Ebola, New York Times, April 7, 2015. "The conventional wisdom among public health authorities is that the Ebola virus, which killed at least 10,000 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, was a new phenomenon, not seen in West Africa before 2013....The conventional wisdom is wrong. We were stunned recently when we stumbled across an article by European researchers in Annals of Virology [actually, Annales de l'Institut Pasteur / Virologie]: 'The results seem to indicate that Liberia has to be included in the Ebola virus endemic zone....[M]edical personnel in Liberian health centers should be aware of the possibility that they may come across active cases.' ...What triggered our dismay was not the words, but when they were written: The paper was published in 1982." The journal, published by Elsevier, is not OA. For a general study of this kind of access failure in health research, disproportionately harming the global south, see Elise Smith et al., Knowledge sharing in global health research – the impact, uptake and cost of open access to scholarly literature, Health Research Policy and Systems, August 2017.
At p. 117, endnote 17 (note text at p. 204). Here I'm citing evidence and research showing demand among lay readers for access to cutting-edge medical research. Add these notes, some of which are about lay demand for research outside the field of medicine.
As early as 2007, BioMed Central reported that one of its OA articles on a popular subject (nutritional supplements) had been downloaded more than 16,000 times in less than one month.
See the Congressional testimony of David Lipman, Director of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, July 29, 2010: "Last year, 99% of the articles in PubMed Central were downloaded at least once, and 28% were downloaded more than 100 times. Although we can collect only aggregated information about users of PubMed Central, we can infer they represent a mix of people from the education and business sectors, as well as private citizens. Based on the type of Internet domain from which they access PubMed Central (e.g., .com, .edu, .net, .gov), we estimate that approximately 25% of our users are from universities, 40% are private citizens or those using personal Internet accounts, and 17% are from companies (the remainder consists of government users or others). These kinds of numbers support the notion that PubMed Central has become a broad-based repository for researchers, students, clinicians, entrepreneurs, patients and their families."
See Who needs access? You need access! — a web site from the @ccess working group collecting the stories of people who need research access. Some are research professionals, and some are lay readers. Currently (March 2013) the site categories include Artists, Developing world, Fossil preparators, Independent Researchers, Nurses, Patient Groups, Patients, Small businesses, Teachers, and Translators.
See Susannah Fox and Maeve Duggan, One in four people seeking health information online have hit a pay wall, Pew Internet & American Life Project, January 15, 2013: "Twenty-six percent of internet users who look online for health information say they have been asked to pay for access to something they wanted to see online....Of those who have been asked to pay, just 2% say they did so. Fully 83% of those who hit a pay wall say they tried to find the same information somewhere else. Thirteen percent of those who hit a pay wall say they just gave up. Men, women, people of all ages and education levels were equally likely to report hitting a pay wall when looking for health information. Respondents living in lower-income households were significantly more likely than their wealthier counterparts to say they gave up at that point."
See Seth Gershenson, Morgan S. Polikoff, and Rui Wang, When Paywall Goes AWOL: The Demand for Open Access Education Research, IZA Institute of Labor Economics, February 2019. "We estimate the causal effect of open access to academic journal articles on article downloads by exploiting a natural experiment in which the paywall to several prestigious educational research journals was unexpectedly taken down for two months. Using the always open-access AERA Open as a control group, we find credibly causal evidence that removing the paywall increased monthly downloads by 60 to 80%." There's reason to think that many of the new readers were not professional researchers. "[I]n the case of educational research, citations are not necessarily the correct measure of impact, as teachers, schools, and districts may use journal articles to inform their policy and practice without ever formally citing the research."
At p. 118, I say, "OA benefits researchers directly and benefits everyone else indirectly by benefiting researchers." (Also see p. 26.) Add this note.
I elaborated on this point in a 2012 interview, Digital access to knowledge: Research chat with Harvard’s Peter Suber, Journalists' Resource, October 16, 2012: "Even if you aren’t interested in reading peer-reviewed research, you benefit from open access. You depend on the medicines, the machines, and the policies made by people who make use of research and in that sense who make use of access to research. So, either you benefit directly, as a researcher, or indirectly, as a consumer of the fruits of research. The only people who oppose open access are some academic publishers, not even all of them. And even academic publishers want to accelerate research insofar as they benefit as individuals from advances in better medicines, longer batteries, cleaner energy, or more-informed decision-making."
At pp. 120-123 (and in notes 22-25 at pp. 205-206), I argue that we should want OA for our machines as much as we want OA for ourselves. Add these notes.
See Stuart M. Shieber, Statement before the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, U.S. House of Representatives, March 29, 2012: "Opening access to the literature makes it available not only to human readers, but to computer processing as well. There are some million and a half scholarly articles published each year. No human can read them all or even the tiny fraction in a particular subfield, but computers can, and computer analysis of the text, known as text mining, has the potential not only to extract high-quality structured data from article databases but even to generate new research hypotheses. My own field of research, computational linguistics, includes text mining. I have collaborated with colleagues in the East Asian Languages and Civilization department on text mining of tens of thousands of classical Chinese biographies and with colleagues in the History department on computational analysis of pre-modern Latin texts. Performing similar analyses on the current research literature, however, is encumbered by proscriptions of copyright and contract because the dominant publishing mechanisms are not open."
See Heather Joseph, With Introduction of FASTR, Congress Picks up the Pace on Open Access Legislation, SPARC, February 14, 2013. "FASTR calls for affected agencies to require articles be provided in formats and under terms that ensure researchers have the ability to freely apply cutting-edge analysis tools and technologies to the full collection of digital articles resulting from public funding. This is a crucial step. As the volume of research information increases, with a mind-boggling 1.5 million research articles published each year, no person can realistically hope to make full sense of this information by simply accessing and reading individual articles on their own. We must enable computers as a new category of reader to help power through this volume, thousands of articles at a time, and to highlight patterns, links, and associations that would otherwise go undiscovered. Computational tools like text mining and data mining are crucial to achieving this, and have the potential to revolutionize the research process. Of course, to be able to apply these kinds of tools, users must be assigned the rights to do so freely across the full collection of articles – not just on single articles, or a on a subset of articles."
Some sites offer free online access to certain texts, perhaps even under an open license, but only to users who register first. Sometimes registration is even free of charge. The Budapest, Bethesda, and Berlin statements are silent on registration barriers. But registration barriers are unquestionably access barriers (regardless of how we decide the terminological question whether they are barriers to "open access"). Many researchers object to them as irritants, delays, and invasions of privacy. The chief objection may be that registration requirements block machine access, which is a prerequisite to many of the concrete benefits of access for human users, such as search indexing and text mining.
At pp. 121-122, I argue that the growing body of OA literature is a "spectacular inducement" to develop software optimized for OA, and conversely, that useful tools optimized for OA "create powerful incentives for authors and publishers to open up their work." Add these notes.
A good example of powerful software optimized for OA, and currently forced to exclude paywalled literature, is Iris.ai, an AI-enhanced search engine for research. From a June 16, 2018 interview with Maria Ritola, co-founder of Iris.ai: "When asked about challenges that the team have experienced so far, Ms Ritola was quick to point out the issue of paywalls. She explained that the Iris.ai system is connected to about 130 million open access papers – almost all those available to the public – but that many useful documents are still hidden behind systems that require users to pay for access." For an update on the Iris.ai use of OA literature, see How AI technology can tame the scientific literature, Nature, September 10, 2018. Iris.ai is trained on a database of 134 million OA papers, in part because they're OA.
Another example is Paper Digest, which uses AI to summarize research articles From the About page: "This works only for open access full-text articles that allow derivative generation (i.e. CC-BY equivalent). In case you receive you receive an error message..., either the full text is not available...or the license does not allow derivative generation." Scholarcy is a similar tool with a similar relationship with OA.
Another example is entity fishing, which "provides automatic entity recognition and disambiguation against Wikipedia and Wikidata."
Chapter 6: Copyright
oa.fair_use
oa.legislation
oa.pd (for "public domain")
At p. 128, I argue that the OA policy at the NIH does not violate copyright. Add this note.
See the video of my April 9, 2012, debate at Harvard Law School with Mark Seeley, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Elsevier. At roughly minute 8, Seeley concedes that the NIH policy, and similar OA policies, do not infringe copyrights. At minutes 16 and 18 we pick up that question again for clarification and more explicit discussion. Also see my blog post on the debate, which includes comments from Seeley and my replies.
At p. 128, line 22. Correction. "One of practical..." should be "One of the practical...." (This correction applies only to the first print edition and the earliest digital editions.)
Chapter 7: Economics
oa.business_models
oa.conversions
oa.costs
oa.double_dipping
oa.economic_impact
oa.fees
oa.hybrid
oa.no-fee
oa.redirection
oa.revenue
oa.sustainability
At p. 133, I say, "Many publishers who oppose OA concede that OA is better for research and researchers than toll access." Add this note.
See Bradie Metheny, "NIH open access publishing policy receives initial good marks from most stakeholders," Washington Fax, September 8, 2004; originally online at this URL, for subscribers only, and now apparently not online at all. See my blogged excerpt at the time. "John Regazzi, managing director of marketing development for Elsevier, the world's largest publisher of journals, said no one can argue against giving the public access to NIH information; it is in the public interest. 'But how you do it is the key,'...Regazzi argued."
At p. 133, endnote 2 (note text at pp. 207-208). Here I cite studies showing that the economic benefits of OA exceed the costs. Add these notes.
For an eight-page summary of the evidence that OA to publicly-funded research creates jobs, and creates economic benefits far exceeding the costs, see Harvard University's January 2012 response to the first question in the White House call for comments on OA to federally-funded research.
See Paul Basken, First Milestone Is Claimed on Long Road to Tracking Science’s Economic Value, Chronicle of Higher Education, April 3, 2014. "The National Institutes of Health generates [$2.21] in economic growth for every taxpayer dollar it receives. 'That is an over-100-percent return on the investment,' [Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut] assured her legislative colleagues...." Neither Basken nor the source he summarizes breaks out the portion of the economic impact attributable to the NIH open-access policy.
See Neil Beagrie and John Houghton, The Value and Impact of Data Sharing and Curation: A synthesis of three recent studies of UK research data centres, JISC, March 2014. From p. 17: "A very significant increase in research efficiency was reported by users as a result of their using the data centres. These estimated efficiency gains ranged from 2 and up to more than 20 times the costs."
See James Manyika et al., Open data: Unlocking innovation and performance with liquid information, McKinsey Global Institute, October 2013. "Open data can help unlock $3 trillion to $5 trillion in economic value annually across seven sectors [namely, in education, transportation, consumer products, electricity, oil and gas, health care, and consumer finance]."
See Data Service Infrastructure for the Social Sciences and Humanities, December 31, 2012, p. 22: "An economic evaluation of the [UK] Economic and Social Data Service (ESDS)...reveals that for every pound currently invested in data and infrastructure, the service returns £5.40 in net economic value to users and other stakeholders."
See Benefits to the Private Sector of Open Access to Higher Education and Scholarly Research, a report commissioned by the UK Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) and undertaken by the HOST consulting group, October 2011. "A substantial body of research literature establishes the benefits to private sector businesses of publicly funded research. Mansfield (1991,1995,1998), Beisea and Stahle (1998) and other studies provide evidence of tangible economic benefit, in particular in terms of product innovations achieved and revenue gained through enhanced sales. The work of Houghton et al. (2011) confirmed these conclusions and also drew out the benefits of access to research in terms of shortening product and service development cycles. This study confirms the importance placed by businesses on access to scholarly research and its broad impact in terms of product, service and process innovation….Open Access publishing provides a way of opening much more university and scholarly research to the business sector….[M]ost businesses spend considerable amounts of time working around paywalls….The review suggests that, at a time of accelerating pressure on SME [small and medium-sized enterprises] competitiveness, a shift to Open Access would create significant cost savings by enabling businesses to review more quickly the relevance of individual papers and act accordingly. By boosting discoverability OA may also add value directly to levels and speed of knowledge transfer in this part of the economy.
See the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice, Economic Impact of the Human Genome Project, May 2011. Quoting the press summary (May 11, 2011): "The $3.8 billion the U.S. government invested in the Human Genome Project (HGP) from 1988 to 2003 helped drive $796 billion in economic impact and the generation of $244 billion in total personal income, according to a study released today by Battelle. In 2010 alone, the human genome sequencing projects and associated genomics research and industry activity directly and indirectly generated $67 billion in U.S. economic output and supported 310,000 jobs that produced $20 billion in personal income. The genomics-enabled industry also provided $3.7 billion in federal taxes during 2010."
See John Houghton, Bruce Rasmussen, and Peter Sheehan, Economic and Social Returns on Investment in Open Archiving Publicly Funded Research Outputs: Report to SPARC, July 2010. "Preliminary modeling suggests that over a transitional period of 30 years from implementation, the potential incremental benefits of the proposed FRPAA [Federal Research Public Access Act] archiving mandate might be worth around 8 times the costs. Perhaps two-thirds of these benefits would accrue within the US, with the remainder spilling over to other countries. Hence, the US national benefits arising from the proposed FRPAA archiving mandate might be of the order of 5 times the costs. Exploring sensitivities in the model we find that the benefits exceed the costs over a wide range of values. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine any plausible values for the input data and model parameters that would lead to a fundamentally different answer."
See John Houghton, Bruce Rasmussen, and Peter Sheehan, Economic and Social Returns on Investment in Open Archiving Publicly Funded Research Outputs [in the United States,” SPARC, August 4, 2010. "Preliminary modeling suggests that over a transitional period of 30 years from implementation, the potential incremental benefits of the proposed FRPAA [Federal Research Public Access Act] archiving mandate might be worth around 8 times the costs. Perhaps two-thirds of these benefits would accrue within the US, with the remainder spilling over to other countries. Hence, the US national benefits arising from the proposed FRPAA archiving mandate might be of the order of 5 times the costs."
Also see the updates and supplements for pp. 114-115, above, on the benefits of OA to research-based manufacturing and other non-academic sectors of the economy.
At p. 134, endnote 3 (note text at p. 208), I cite a study showing that green and gold OA both have high benefit-cost ratios, and that the infrastructure for green OA "has largely already been built." For evidence that green OA costs less than gold OA, and that green OA policies are more cost-effective than gold OA policies, see the following.
Alma Swan and John Houghton, Going for Gold? The costs and benefits of Gold Open Access for UK research institutions: further economic modelling. Report to the UK Open Access Implementation Group. June 2012. From the executive summary: "Based on this analysis, the main findings are: [1] so long as research funders commit to paying publication costs for the research they fund, and [2] publication charges fall to the reprint author’s home institution, [3] all universities would see savings from (worldwide) Gold OA when article-processing charges are at the current averages, [4] research-intensive universities would see the greatest savings, and [5] in a transition period, providing Open Access through the Green route offers the greatest economic benefits to individual universities, unless additional funds are made available to cover Gold OA costs....[F]or all the sample universities during a transition period when subscriptions are maintained, the cost of adopting Green OA is much lower than the cost of Gold OA - with Green OA self-archiving costing institutions around one-fifth the amount that Gold OA might cost, and as little as one-tenth as much for the most research intensive university sampled. In a transition period, providing OA through the Green route would have substantial economic benefits for universities, unless additional funds were released for Gold OA, beyond those already available through the Research Councils and the Wellcome Trust...."
John Houghton and Alma Swan, Planting the green seeds for a golden harvest: Comments and clarifications on “Going for Gold”, D-Lib Magazine, January/February 2013. "At the institutional level, during a transitional period when subscriptions are maintained, the cost of unilaterally adopting Green OA is much lower than the cost of unilaterally adopting Gold OA – with Green OA self-archiving costing average institutions sampled around one-fifth the amount that Gold OA might cost, and as little as one-tenth as much for the most research intensive university. Hence, we conclude that the most affordable and cost-effective means of moving towards OA is through Green OA, which can be adopted unilaterally at the funder, institutional, sectoral and national levels at relatively little cost....In an all-OA world, it seems likely that the net benefits of Gold OA would exceed those of Green OA, although Green OA would have a higher benefit/cost ratio. However, we are not in an all-OA world yet, nor anywhere near it. The most affordable and cost-effective means of moving towards OA in the meantime is through Green OA, which can be adopted unilaterally at the funder, institutional, sectoral and national levels at little cost. Moreover, Green OA may well be the most immediate and cost-effective way to support knowledge transfer and enable innovation across the economy."
At pp. 134-136 I discuss the "widely varying estimates in the literature on what it costs a university to run an institutional repository." Also see Chapter 7, endnote 4 (note call at p. 136, note text at pp. 208-209). Add these notes.
See C. Sean Burns, Amy Lana, and John M. Budd, Institutional Repositories: Exploration of Costs and Value, D-Lib Magazine, January/February 2013. "[I]nstitutions that mediate submissions incur less expense than institutions that allow self-archiving, institutions that offer additional services incur greater annual operating costs than those who do not, and institutions that use open source applications have lower implementation costs but comparable annual operating costs with institutions that use proprietary solutions. Furthermore, changes in budgeting, from special initiative to absorption into the regular budget, suggest a trend in sustainable support for institutional repositories."
See David Nicholas and five co-authors, Have digital repositories come of age? The views of library directors, Webology, December 2013. This study provides recent data on the range of repository costs, staffing, and services.
At p. 136, I introduce the distinction between fee-based and no-fee OA journals. Add this note.
While most OA journals fall into the no-fee category (Chapter 7, endnote 8, pp. 209-210), the fee-based OA category is growing faster than the no-fee category. See Mikael Laakso and Bo-Christer Björk, Anatomy of open access publishing: a study of longitudinal development and internal structure, BMC Medicine, October 22, 2012: "Journals with author-processing charges have seen breakout growth during the last three years, going from 80,700 articles in 2009 to 166,700 articles in 2011." Also see Figure 2 for a graphic representation of the growth of OA journals from 2000 to 2011, broken down by business-model category.
At pp. 138-139, I say, "By contrast [with the majority of OA journals, which charge no author-side fees] most toll-access journals (75 percent) do charge author-side fees." In endnote 8 (note text at p. 209) I cite and link to an ALPSP report for this fact. But the URL is now dead, and the ALPSP provides no redirect. Correction. Here's a new URL: http://www.alpsp.org/Reports-Publications/facts-about-open-access-2005/125582.
At p. 139, I say, "Moreover, even within the minority of fee-based OA journals, only 12 percent of those authors end paying the fees out of pocket. Almost 90% of the time, the fees at the fee-based journals are waived or paid by sponsors on behalf of authors." Here I call note 8 (note text at pp. 209-210). In that note I cite Suenje Dallmeier-Tiessen et al., Highlights from the SOAP project survey. What Scientists Think about Open Access Publishing, arXiv, January 29, 2011, Table 4. But I should have included these details from Table 4. Publication fees were paid by the author's funder 59%, by the author's institution 24%, and by the author out of pocket 12%. Also add these new notes.
For studies showing larger percentages for smaller and more specialized samples of authors, my blog post from February 1, 2013, in which I cite figures from two studies released in January 2013.
When interpreting data on authors who pay publication fees out of pocket, remember that only about 30% of peer-reviewed OA journals overall charge publication fees (Chapter 7, endnote 8, pp. pp. 209-210). Hence, the SOAP result that only 12% of authors at fee-based OA journals paid the fees out of pocket really means that only about 12% of authors at 30% of OA journals overall, or only about 3.6% of authors at OA journals overall, paid fees out of pocket. We should also remember that about 50% of the articles published in peer-reviewed OA journals are published in fee-based journals (see the updates and supplements for p. 170, below). Hence, if we count by article rather than by journal, then the SOAP result that only 12% of authors at fee-based OA journals paid the fees out of pocket really means that only about 12% of authors of 50% of the articles published by OA journals overall, or only about 6% of authors of articles published by OA journals overall, paid fees out of pocket. I summarize and extend some of this analysis in a blog post from February 1, 2013.
At p. 140, I say, "The false belief that most OA journals charge author-side fees also infects studies in which authors misinform survey subjects before surveying them. In effect: 'At OA journals, authors pay to be published; now let me ask you a series of questions about your attitude toward OA journals.'" Add this note.
I've been complaining about these misleading studies since 2006. But they continue to appear. See my April 2013 blog post on a new survey asserting as a matter of definition that at OA journals, or gold OA, "Authors pay article processing charges...."
At p. 141, I say, "[M]ost hybrid journals don't make this promise [to reduce subscription prices in proportion to author uptake of the OA option] and 'double dip' by charging subscription fees and publication fees for the same OA articles." Add this note.
See Michelle Brook, The Sheer Scale of Hybrid Journal Publishing, Open Access Working Group, March 24, 2014. "With recently published data from the Wellcome Trust, the scale of this double charging has become much more clear. In Oct 2012 – Sept 2013, academics spent £3.88 million to publish articles in journals with immediate online access – of which £3.17 million (82 % of costs, 74 % of papers) was paying for publications that Universities would then be charged again for....Only £0.70 million of the charity’s £3.88m didn’t have any form of double charging." Also see the open data provided by the Wellcome Trust to support this calculation.
At p. 141, I say, "SHERPA list[s] more than 90 publishers offering hybrid OA options, including all of the largest publishers." Add this note.
In endnote 12 (note text at p. 211), I point to the SHERPA list at this URL http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/PaidOA.html. But that URL is now dead (December 2013). Correction: please replace it with this URL, http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/PaidOA.php. BTW, there are now many more than 90 publishers on the list, but they are unnumbered and must be counted manually.
At p. 141, I say, "The average rate of uptake for the OA option at hybrid journals is just 2 percent." Add this note
A 2013 report from the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) showed that the rate of uptake was only 1%. See the summary of the report in Research Information, October 24, 2013. "However take up of the hybrid model by authors is low, 1 per cent of articles published." I do not have access to the report itself, or I would quote from it directly.
See Suenje Dallmeier-Tiessen et al., First results of the SOAP project. Open access publishing in 2010, arXiv, October 4, 2010. Table 4 summarizes the data on the uptake of the hybrid OA option. After Table 4, the authors conclude: "The measured open access share in hybrid journals is found to be around 2%."
At p. 143, line 11. Correction. "...alone is has..." should be "...alone has...." (This correction applies only to the first print edition and the earliest digital editions.)
At p. 143, I say, "There are reasons to think that OA journals cost less to produce than toll-access journals of the same quality...." At pp. 143-144, I spell out some of those reasons, and in note 16 (note call at p. 144, note text at p. 213), I cite several studies in support of this proposition. Add these notes.
See Roger Clarke, The Cost Profiles of Alternative Approaches to Journal Publishing, First Monday, December 3, 2007. "For–profit publishers have higher cost–profiles than not–for–profit associations, because of the additional functions that they perform, in particular their much greater investment in branding, customer relationship management and content protection. The difference is particularly marked in the case of eJournals — a computed per–article cost of US$3,400 compared with US$730. This point is sufficiently significant that further examination is warranted....[I]t would appear that open access journal publishing is achievable through not–for–profit channels far more cheaply and efficiently than through for–profit organisations....But the primary beneficiaries of these features [higher–quality branding, more active marketing, more aggressive customer management, and content protection] are the publisher and its owners [not authors or readers]." Also see the summary of Clarke's findings by Lee C. Van and Kathleen Born in their Periodicals Price Survey 2008, Library Journal, April 15, 2008: "Commercial publishers have a hard time realizing the economies because they are locked into expensive practices that offset them, including higher quality branding and marketing, more aggressive customer management, and costly content protection systems. Taking those added costs into account, it takes a commercial publisher about $3400 to produce an article for an e-journal, while a nonprofit publisher could produce the equivalent article for about $730. The study suggests that it is easier for the nonprofit association to flip its business model to OA than it is for the large commercial publisher."
See the statement from the Public Library of Science published by Richard Poynder on March 8, 2011. "Publishing in the conventional system is estimated to cost the academy around $4500 per article. What PLoS (and for that matter BioMed Central, Hindawi, Co-Action, Copernicus and other successful open-access publishers) is showing is that high-quality publishing can be supported by publication fees that are substantially less than the costs of the conventional system...."
See my interview with Richard Poynder in July 2011. "[Q:] When we spoke in 2007, you said you expected OA to be a cheaper way of publishing research. Is that still your view? [A:] There are good reasons to think that OA publishing costs less, and will continue to cost less, than TA publishing at the same level of quality....However, there are also those who dispute the conclusion, generally without evidence or with misleading evidence, such as the experience of behemoth publishers with legacy overhead from the age of print and subscriptions. I’m happy to leave it an empirical question and wait for more decisive data to emerge. But my hypothesis based on present evidence is that OA publishing will cost less."
See Claudio Aspesi, Reed Elsevier: Transitioning to Open Access - Are the Cost Savings Sufficient to Protect Margins? Bernstein Research, November 26, 2012: "Spurred by the reading of Peter Suber's book Open Access, which argues that publishers would incur...meaningful savings in the transition to OA, we recently worked with the finance team of a subscription-funded publisher to identify in detail the cost savings which could be achieved in an OA model....We estimate that a full transition to OA could lead to savings in the region of 10-12% of the cost base of a subscription publisher....Savings would derive primarily from discontinuing physical print, the elimination of production management, and the phase out of the sales force. There would also be savings in IT (DRM costs), but they would be partially offset by higher server and communications costs (because of the need to accommodate a larger flux of downloads) and in customer service, since subscriber services would be largely eliminated (in working with this publisher, we estimated that 34% of customer service costs would remain). On the negative side, the largest impact would be the need to ramp up marketing costs, some additional administrative expenses (since invoicing would likely be more fragmented and complex) and – most of all – the loss of advance revenues...."
See Andrew Odlyzko, Open Access, library and publisher competition, and the evolution of general commerce, preprint, February 4, 2013. "Most of the arguments for Open Access are valid irrespective of the costs of publications, and are based on the public good, efficiency of research, and similar considerations. However, the possibility of moving to dramatically lower cost structures does make a switch to new business models much easier to perform. It has been clear for two decades that much lower costs in scholarly publishing are possible, but with some exceptions, little has been done to the bulk of the literature to move in that direction....That lower costs were possible was obvious even three decades ago, since the costs per article varied wildly between publishers. This showed that costs were not a matter of unavoidable necessity, but of market power, choice, and inertia. This has become far clearer since then. There are many cost reductions that are feasible and desirable...."
See Richard Van Noorden, Open access: The true cost of science publishing, Nature, March 27, 2013 (corrected April 5, 2013). See esp. the fourth (unnumbered) graphic titled, "The Cost of Publishing", showing that online TA journals cost less to produce than print TA journals, and that OA journals cost less to produce than online TA journals. The graphic draws on data from John Houghton, Economic implications of alternative scholarly publishing models: Exploring the costs and benefits, JISC, 2009.
At p. 145, lines 8-9. Correction. "...redirect money we're currently spending on peer-reviewed journals." should be "...redirect money we're currently spending on peer-reviewed toll-access journals." (This correction applies only to the first print edition and the earliest digital editions.)
At p. 145, I mention a few benefits that OA brings even to conventional publishers: "increased readership, citations, submissions, and quality." Add these notes.
For the evidence on increased citations, see Chapter 1, endnote 6 (note call at p. 15, note text at pp. 178-179). Also see the updates and supplements for p. 15, above.
For the evidence on increased submissions and subscriptions, see Chapter 8, endnotes 10 and 11 (note calls at p. 159, note text at pp. 216-217).
For the case that OA can increase quality, see my articles, Open access and quality, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, October 2, 2006, and Thinking about prestige, quality, and open access, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, September 2, 2008.
Also see my Open Access Overview. OA benefits even conventional journals and publishers: "OA makes their articles more visible, discoverable, retrievable, and useful. If a journal is OA, then it can use this superior visibility to attract submissions and advertising, not to mention readers and citations. If a subscription-based journal provides OA to some of its content (e.g. selected articles in each issue, all back issues after a certain period, etc.), then it can use its increased visibility to attract all the same benefits plus subscriptions. If a journal permits OA through postprint archiving, then it has an edge in attracting authors over journals that do not permit postprint archiving. Of course subscription-based journals and their publishers have countervailing interests as well and often resist or oppose OA. But it oversimplifies the situation to think that all their interests pull against OA."
In February 2006, a survey of BMJ authors showed that OA increased submissions and TA would decrease submissions. See Sara Schroter, Importance of free access to research articles on decision to submit to the BMJ: survey of authors, BMJ, February 16, 2006. "Three quarters (159/211) [of surveyed BMJ authors] said the fact that all readers would have free access to their paper on bmj.com was very important or important to their decision to submit to the BMJ. Over half (111/211) said closure of free access to research articles would make them slightly less likely to submit research articles to the BMJ in the future, 14% (29/211) said they would be much less likely to submit, and 34% (71/211) said it would not influence their decision....Authors value free access to research articles and consider this an important factor in deciding whether to submit to the BMJ. Closing access to research articles would have a negative effect on authors' perceptions of the journal and their likeliness to submit."
See Péter Jacsó, Open access to scholarly full-text documents, Online Information Review, 30, 5 (2006). "...The paper shows that while open access archives are good for the majority, for publishers, editors and authors, open access articles can substantially increase their impact, and the impact factor for the source journals...."
In 2007, Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI) converted four hybrid OA journals to full OA. In 2009 it presented evidence that the conversion boosted the impact factors of all four journals.
In the 2008 Journal Citation Reports, Thomson Reuters reported that five OA journals had the highest impact factors in their fields: (1) PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, first out of 15 in Tropical Medicine, (2) PLoS Pathogens, first out of 25 in Parasitology, (3) PLoS Computational Biology, first out of 28 in Mathematical & Computational Biology, (4) PLoS Biology, first out of 71 in Biology, and (5) Journal of Medical Internet Research, first out of 20 in Medical Informatics.
See Hans Lossius and Kjetil Søreide, Open access publishing: a girder in the success of the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, an editorial, January 19, 2011. "The Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine (SJTREM) has entered its third year as an open access international scientific on-line journal....Submissions are steadily increasing, and the acceptance rate is per date approximately 40%....[T]he number of SJTREM papers cited in other journals are increasing....SJTREM converted into open access (OA) online publishing in July 2008...."
For other benefits, see The Impact of Open Access: The Future of the Academic Information Supply Chain, EBSCO and Red Sage Consulting, October 2012. The report enumerates the well-known publisher fears and objections to OA (at pp. 24-25). But it also enumerates benefits to publishers (at p. 19). Under "Improved dissemination/access" it lists "Maximum dissemination" and "Global access, free at point of use (provisos: peer review process; properly funded)." Under "Financial Benefits" it lists "Potential for increased advertising revenues", "Upfront payment before costs are incurred", "Predictable revenue stream", "Shorter time for new journals to become established/financially viable", "Puts the financial issue back with authors/funders, not the 'budget' of libraries", and "Dealing with fewer sources of income". Under "Strategic Benefits" it lists "Provides a choice of business models", "Allows exploration of alternative pricing models", "More opportunities for publishers to add value, including to content originating from other sources", "Aligns publishers with the stated aims of funders and universities", and "A platform to publish good quality content that did not make it into top journals". Also see my blog post (December 19, 2012) on the strengths and weaknesses of this list.
In January 2013, the Journal of Hymenoptera Research reported that its submissions grew after it converted from TA to OA. See Stephen Schmidt et al., The move to open access and growth: experience from Journal of Hymenoptera Research, Journal of Hymenoptera Research, vol. 30, pp. 1–6, January 30, 2013. JHR is published by the International Society of Hymenopterists.
Also see Stefan Busch, The careers of converts – how a transfer to BioMed Central affects the Impact Factors of established journals, BioMed Central Blog, January 15, 2014. "At BioMed Central we’ve seen a strong effect on citations and the Impact Factors of publications that move to BioMed Central when they are already well-established titles listed in the Journals Citation Report....Since Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica converted to open access publication seven years ago, its Impact Factor has increased about four-fold, and as a consequence the journal has moved into the top third of the veterinary sciences category in Web of Science....The following graphs for Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Genetics Selection Evolution all convey a similar message: the first Impact Factor that is based solely on open access articles (vertical line) represents a significant rise – a doubling and more – compared to the years before the transfer to BioMed Central...." Also see BMC says IFs of its society journals increased after move to OA, Research Information, August 6, 2014, and The Impact Factor of journals converting from subscription to open access, BioMed Central blog, November 6, 2014.
At p. 146, I refer to one kind of transition to OA as "a peaceful revolution based on negotiation, consent, and self-interest." (See also p. 13 and p. 147.) Add this note.
For an analysis building on this concept in the the larger domain of copyright reform, see Nicolas Suzor, Free-Riding, Cooperation, and 'Peaceful Revolutions' in Copyright, Harvard Journal of Law and Technology, forthcoming, 2014.
Chapter 8: Casualties
oa.cancellations
oa.embargoes
oa.versions
At p. 149, I ask, "Will a general shift to OA leave casualties? For example, will rising levels of green OA trigger cancellations of toll-access journals?" Add these notes.
See Scholarly Publishing: Where is Plan B? in which Richard Poynder interviews Claudio Aspesi, March 1, 2012. Quoting Aspesi: "I find it somewhat difficult to believe that any academic or research library has cancelled a single subscription to a medical or life sciences journal because it would be able to access, twelve months later, a relatively modest percentage of the articles published in any one issue of that journal. To argue otherwise invites disbelief and cynicism. It may be true that, at the margin, some articles which would have been sold as an individual download were not downloaded, but — once again — to argue that this makes a material difference to Elsevier's revenues or profits can only irritate and antagonize even more the academic community. I am always happy to learn where I make mistakes and improve my analysis, and would be delighted if Elsevier produced evidence to disprove my scepticism....After all, if Elsevier and the other publishers demand or oppose changes in public policy, they should provide factual evidence that they will be harmed."
See Claudio Aspesi and Helen Luong, Reed Elsevier: Goodbye to Berlin - The Fading Threat of Open Access, BernsteinResearch, September 24, 2014: "11 years after the Berlin Declaration on Open Access, however, the rise of Open Access appears to inflict little or no damage on the leading subscription publishers....OA policies have proved right, so far, the critics whoargued that they would not threaten the status of subscription publishers....OA funding [for APCs] may in fact be adding to the profits of STM."
See the NIH report from February 2012. "The [NIH] Public Access requirement took effect in 2008. While the U.S. economy has suffered a downturn during the time period 2007 to 2011, scientific publishing has grown: [1] The number of journals dedicated to publishing biological sciences/agriculture articles and medicine/health articles increased 15% and 19%, respectively. [2] The average subscription prices of biology journals and health sciences journals increased 26% and 23%, respectively. [3] Publishers forecast increases to the rate of growth of the medical journal market, from 4.5% in 2011 to 6.3% in 2014...."
See Simba Information, Combined STM Markets Grew 3.4% in 2011, January 6, 2012: "Amid budgetary pressures and a slow economic recovery, the combined markets for science, technical and medical (STM) publishing grew 3.4% to $21.1 billion in 2011."
See David Matthews, Elsevier profits near £1 billion despite European disputes, Times Higher Education, February 22, 2019. "Elsevier has shrugged off a breakdown in contracts with German and Swedish universities to swell its profits to nearly £1 billion in 2018, its latest financial results reveal. The Amsterdam-based publisher reported an all but unchanged profit margin of 37.1 per cent. It made £942 million in profits on revenues of about £2.5 billion, according to financial results released on 21 February...."
At p. 151, endnote 2 (note text at p. 215). Correction. For "Alma Swan's interview with the APS and IOP in which 'both societies said they could not identify any losses of subscriptions' due to OA archiving", please replace http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/11006/, which is no longer valid, with http://cogprints.org/4406/. And add this note:
Alma Swan summarized some of the same findings in a message posted to the American Scientist Open Access Forum on February 3, 2005. "Have physics publishers gone to the wall [because of rising levels of green OA through arXiv]? No, and not only have they continued to survive, they have also continued to thrive. I have recently asked questions about this of two of the big learned society publishers in physics, the American Physical Society in the US and the Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd in the UK. There are two salient points to note: [1] Neither can identify any loss of subscriptions to the journals that they publish as a result of the arXiv. [2] Subscription attrition, where it is occurring, is the same in the areas that match the coverage of the arXiv as it is across any other areas of physics that these societies publish in. Both societies, moreover, see actual benefits for their publishing operations arising from the existence of arXiv....In answer to the question 'Does arXiv worry or threaten your business?' the APS answered: 'We don't consider it a threat. We expect to continue to have a symbiotic relationship with arXiv....' The Institute of Physics Publishing's response was: 'IOPP's experience as a learned society publisher illustrates the strong synergies and mutual benefits that currently exist between major peer-reviewed journals...and the arXiv e-print server....Whilst posting an pre-print or post-print is becoming more of an essential in some areas of the physics community for immediate and wide dissemination, we do not see the arXiv or repositories threatening our business.'"
At p. 152, endnote 4 (note text at pp. 215-216). Here I'm documenting the assertion that, "At Congressional hearings in 2008 and 2010, legislators asked publishers directly whether green OA was triggering cancellations. In both cases publishers pointed to decreased downloads but not to increased cancellations." Add these notes.
Susan Hezlet, Access and Accessibility for the London Mathematical Society Journals, Notices of the AMS, March 2014. At p. 279, Hezlet reports that the Annals of Mathematics lost subscriptions when it provided green OA to the published versions of its articles. But she concludes "from the scant evidence we have" that there is no danger in allowing green OA to preprints or to the authors' accepted manuscripts.
Also see Philip M. Davis, Public accessibility of biomedical articles from PubMed Central reduces journal readership—retrospective cohort analysis, FASEB Journal, July 2013. "A longitudinal, retrospective cohort analysis of 13,223 articles...published in 14 society-run biomedical research journals...between February 2008 and January 2011 reveals a 21.4% reduction in full-text...HTML...article downloads and a 13.8% reduction in...PDF...article downloads from the journals' websites when U.S. National Institutes of Health-sponsored articles...become freely available from the PubMed Central repository....The relationship between free access and subscription cancellation behavior is not well understood." Davis predicts that increased downloads will lead to increased cancellations, but cites no evidence that they have already done so.
Also see Martin Frank, Open but Not Free — Publishing in the 21st Century, New England Journal of Medicine, February 28, 2013. "A longitudinal cohort analysis of 12 subscription-based research journals in physiology revealed that PubMed Central drew approximately 14% of full-text article downloads away from journal websites when articles deposited in PubMed Central became freely available to the public 12 months after publication [citing an October 2012 study by Phil Davis]. Similarly, the open-access journals from the Public Library of Science (PLOS) had a 22% loss of traffic to PubMed Central [citing a November 2013 blog post by Kent Anderson] The persistent reduction in full-text downloads from journal websites contributes to a loss of the advertising revenue that partially offsets the cost of publication." Although increased cancellations would support Frank's thesis more than decreased downloads, he cites no evidence of increased cancellations.
One study from a major publisher trade association shows that green OA actually increases downloads from publisher web sites. See the June 2012 final report of the PEER (Publishing and the Ecology of European Research) study, at p. 11: "A Randomised Controlled Trial indicates that making preprints visible in PEER repositories is associated with more traffic to the publisher sites at the aggregate level, but this varies by publisher and subject. Overall, PEER is associated with a significant, if relatively modest, increase in publisher downloads, in the confidence range 7.5% to 15.5%" (emphasis added). Also see the June 2012 PEER Usage Study at pp. 3-4: "This report reviews the findings of an experiment to measure the effect of exposing early article versions in repositories on downloads of the version of record at various publishers’ web sites....There was a positive effect on publisher downloads in all four broad subject areas, but this was statistically significant only in the life (20.3%, CI95 13.1% to 27.9%) and physical sciences (13.1%, CI95 5.2% to 21.6%). The uplift in medicine and in the social sciences and humanities could be a chance effect. Larger publishers experienced a strong uplift (12.6%, CI95 8.3% to 17.0%), while the increase for smaller publishers was much weaker (3.3%) and could be a chance effect (p=0.53)....For three publishers, the uplift was both statistically significant (at the 5% level) and in double figures." Note that the PEER study was coordinated by the International Association of Science, Technical and Medical Publishers, and funded by the EC eContentplus programme.
The pattern continued in a third Congressional hearing on OA on March 29, 2012. The hearing was titled, "Federally Funded Research: Examining Public Access and Scholarly Publication Interests," and held by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. From the SPARC summary of one part of the Q&A: "Rep. Zoe Lofgren, (D-CA), noting that the NIH Public Access has now been in place for nearly four years, challenged the publishers assertions that they would be financially harmed by FPRAA, and asked if any data demonstrating financial harm to publishers could be presented by any of the panelists. None was provided."
Other evidence suggests that while levels of green OA continue to rise, and library budgets to fall, the fortunes of conventional journal publishing continue to rise. See the financial analysis of the academic publishing industry by Simba Information, January 6, 2012. "Amid budgetary pressures and a slow economic recovery, the combined markets for science, technical and medical (STM) publishing grew 3.4% to $21.1 billion in 2011."
In February 2012, the NIH updated its own evidence that its policy has caused no harm to date. "The [NIH] Public Access requirement took effect in 2008. While the U.S. economy has suffered a downturn during the time period 2007 to 2011, scientific publishing has grown: [1] The number of journals dedicated to publishing biological sciences/agriculture articles and medicine/health articles increased 15% and 19%, respectively. [2] The average subscription prices of biology journals and health sciences journals increased 26% and 23%, respectively. [3] Publishers forecast increases to the rate of growth of the medical journal market, from 4.5% in 2011 to 6.3% in 2014...."
Also in February 2012, Elsevier revealed that its sales and profits both increased in 2011. "The science and technology field performance particularly stood out...." Also see Elsevier's own summary of its 2011 financial results. "Underlying revenue up 2%....Underlying adjusted operating profit up 5%; up 4% at constant currencies....[W]e expect to deliver another year of underlying revenue and profit growth in 2012...."
Also see the updates and supplements for p. 157, below, on the state of evidence that increased levels of green OA or shortened embargoes on green OA cause journal cancellations.
At p. 154, I start a section entitled, "There is evidence that green OA decreases downloads from publishers' web sites." Add this note.
See Philip M. Davis, Public accessibility of biomedical articles from PubMed Central reduces journal readership: retrospective cohort analysis, The FASEB Journal, April 3, 2013. "A longitudinal, retrospective cohort analysis of 13,223 articles (5999 treatment, 7224 control) published in 14 society-run biomedical research journals in nutrition, experimental biology, physiology, and radiology between February 2008 and January 2011 reveals a 21.4% reduction in full-text hypertext markup language (HTML) article downloads and a 13.8% reduction in portable document format (PDF) article downloads from the journals' websites when U.S. National Institutes of Health-sponsored articles (treatment) become freely available from the PubMed Central repository. In addition, the effect of PubMed Central on reducing PDF article downloads is increasing over time, growing at a rate of 1.6% per year. There was no longitudinal effect for full-text HTML downloads." The Davis study confirms earlier studies showing reduced downloads; also like earlier studies, it does not show reduced subscriptions or increased cancellations.
At p. 154, I say that even when users have privileges at a library which subscribes to a needed journal, "authentication is a hassle." Add these notes.
See Peter Suber, The Database Paradox, Library Hi Tech, 10, 4 (1992) pp. 51-57. "Students already know that they can pursue any topics that interest them by using the library. But some barrier of intimidation prevents many from doing so, even when their curiosity is intense. We may hope that some of the advances in information technology will tear down this barrier and open the doors of knowledge to those who have in effect been waiting outside with longing. I suspect that the evolution of this technology is in the direction of ever greater user-friendliness. However, I can imagine serious ergonomic mistakes that would make the barrier even higher than it is now."
See Dorothea Salo, "My Gripe About E-Journals," Caveat Lector, November 14, 2005. The original is no longer online, but here's an excerpt from my blog post at the time: "If I follow that link [from a blog post to an interesting-looking article], I’m stuck. The journal website does not offer me a way to authenticate as belonging to MPOW [My Place Of Work]. It doesn't even tell me whether MPOW subscribes to that journal or not....To get to the article, I have to go to MPOW's website, drill down into it to find the journal in MPOW's bewildering plethora of e-resources, and finally try for the article —by which time I've typically forgotten the citation information...."
See Richard Smith, A bad bad week for access, The Guardian, June 28, 2012. "It occurs to me that I might be able to access the article through Imperial [College London], so I ring the library....[After connecting with a helpful librarian, I learn that] it’s a four stage process for me get online access to a journal in the library. I have to be induced...to have my photograph taken and get an identity card (I couldn’t because the man was on holiday), go physically to the library with my card, and then contact the IT department to get access to the library VPN....I can’t believe that it will still be like this in 10 years' time...."
See John Bohannon, Who's downloading pirated papers? Everyone, Science Magazine, April 28, 2016. "Some critics of Sci-Hub have complained that many users can access the same papers through their libraries but turn to Sci-Hub instead —for convenience rather than necessity. The data provide some support for that claim. The United States is the fifth largest downloader after Russia, and a quarter of the Sci-Hub requests for papers came from the 34 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the wealthiest nations with, supposedly, the best journal access. In fact, some of the most intense use of Sci-Hub appears to be happening on the campuses of U.S. and European universities....Even for journals to which the university has access, Sci-Hub is becoming the go-to resource, says Gil Forsyth, another GWU engineering Ph.D. student. “If I do a search on Google Scholar and there’s no immediate PDF link, I have to click through to ‘Check Access through GWU’ and then it’s hit or miss,” he says. “If I put [the paper’s title or DOI] into Sci-Hub, it will just work.” He says that Elsevier publishes the journals that he has had the most trouble accessing...."
See Benjamin Kaube, Scientists should be solving problems, not struggling to access journals, The Guardian, May 21, 2018. "My research suggests it takes 15 clicks on average [to find and access a journal article], multiple logins into different repositories, dead links, and waiting on endless redirects. The scale of this problem is huge: 10 million researchers around the world access 2.5bn journal articles online each year....I've calculated that research output equivalent to around 11,500 academics is lost each year....[M]ainstream digital content [is] just a click away, but to access a scientific article you have to navigate institutional login pages, subscriptions, and paywalls. If you're off campus, that's another nightmare all together. The high cost and inconvenience associated with accessing research papers has given rise to unauthorised alternatives, including a 'dark web' of crowdsourced journal articles."
At p. 154, I start a section entitled, "Most [conventional] publishers voluntarily permit green OA." Add this note.
A large number of conventional publishers voluntarily do more to provide green OA than even the NIH policy requires. There are three kinds of examples: (1) journals participating in PubMed Central, many with embargo periods shorter than the NIH maximum of 12 months, (2) journals providing OA to the published editions of articles by NIH-funded authors, and not just the unedited peer-reviewed manuscripts, and (3) journals depositing their articles in PubMed Central under open licenses rather than all-rights-reserved copyrights, and depositing articles whether or not their authors are NIH-funded.
At p. 155, I say that green OA mandates typically apply only to the final version of the author's peer-reviewed manuscript, not to the published version. I also say that "[l]ibraries wanting to provide access to copyedited published editions will still have an incentive to subscribe." Add this note.
We can turn the argument around. If publishers claim that this is not an incentive to subscribe, then they would seem to be saying that their copyediting and other enhancements to the peer-reviewed manuscripts add little or nothing that is worth paying for.
At p. 157, I start a subsection entitled, "Some studies bear on the question of whether increased OA archiving [green OA] will increase journal cancellations." Add these notes, some on increased levels of green OA and some on shortened embargoes on green OA.
Also see Cameron Neylon, The Embargoes Don’t Work: The British Academy provides the best evidence yet, PLoS Opens, May 14, 2014. "The conclusion I draw from these two sets of data [presented in a July 2013 study by the British Academy] is that there is no value in longer embargoes for H&SS [Humanities and Social Sciences] – indeed that there is no need for embargoes at all. H&SS cluster with physics and maths, disciplines where substantial, and importantly concentrated, portions of the literature have been available prior to publication for over 20 years and where there is no evidence of a systemic failure in the running of sustainable publishing businesses....Why do institutions continue to subscribe to journals when the ‘same’ content is available online for free? This would only be the case if factors others than online availability of manuscripts drove subscription decisions. This might be the case if other factors, such as overall cost, scholar demand or access to the version of record were more important factors. This is exactly what the survey data in the BA report shows supporting the view that short embargoes are not a risk to the sustainability of subscription journals in H&SS. The report itself however comes to the opposite conclusion. It does this by creating a narrative of increasing risk based on potential loss, that things might change in the future, particularly if the degree of access rises, that the survey can only ask about the current environment and hypothetical decisions....For me decades of the ArXiv and Astronomy Data Service and seven years of mandated deposit to Pubmed Central with no evidence of linked subscription cancellations seem like strong evidence. Remember that the report states that physics and maths are similar to H&SS. But increasingly I’m feeling this whole argument is rather sterile...."
Also see Peter Suber, What doesn't justify longer embargoes on publicly-funded research, January 11, 2014. "Phil Davis has shown that the half-life of research articles differs from field to field. The half-life of an article here is 'the median age of articles downloaded from a publisher's website.' See his study, Journal Usage Half-Life, November 25, 2013....Unfortunately [Davis'] data are not being carefully used by publishers who want to lengthen the permissible embargoes in federal OA policies. Note that Davis himself does not make the careless arguments I'm about to describe. There are two problems in arguing that the Davis study somehow entails that OA policies should permit longer embargoes — longer embargoes in general or longer embargoes in fields with longer article half-lives. 1. The first problem is that the Davis [study] doesn't show that short embargoes cause cancellations. This is a larger problem than it may appear to be. Publishers have been claiming for years that short embargoes cause cancellations, but there is no evidence to support the claim....2. But the second problem is larger and more important than the first. Suppose we had good data showing that short embargoes caused cancellations, or that a uniform embargo across fields caused more cancellations in the fields with longer article half-lives. It still would not follow that policies should permit longer embargoes. To get to that conclusion we'd have to add premises. These premises are often assumed, but they are remarkably weak once made explicit for examination. We'd have to add the premise that public policies should maximize publisher revenue before maximizing public access to publicly-funded research. Or we'd have to add the premise that policies should put publisher interests ahead of researcher interests. I reject these premises. Research funding agencies, especially public funding agencies, ought to reject them as well...."
Also see the January 2014 press release from Taylor & Francis, Taylor & Francis extend green Open access zero embargo pilot scheme for Library & Information science authors until end 2014. "Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, has been running a Library & Information Science Author Rights pilot scheme that allows authors to post their peer-reviewed Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) to an institutional repository immediately after publication. The two year pilot scheme, first introduced in 2011, has now been extended for at least a further year....As part of the pilot, a survey was conducted....Having the option to upload their work to a repository directly after publication is very important to these authors: more than 2/3 of respondents rated the ability to upload their work to repositories at 8, 9, or 10 out of 10, with the vast majority saying they feel strongly that authors should have this right. The implementation of the author rights pilot saw the number of respondents who would recommend Routledge as a publishing outlet increase by 34% while the average willingness to publish with Routledge on a scale of 1 to 10 increased from 6.6 to 8.3. The shift in response from Library and Information Science professionals towards Routledge’s publishing program before and after the launch of this initiative practically demonstrates the enthusiasm for immediate upload of non-embargoed content within the library community...."
Also see the September 2013 report of the UK House of Commons Select Committee on Business, Innovation and Skills. After reviewing the state of the evidence, the committee concluded that "there is no available evidence base to indicate that short or even zero embargoes cause cancellation of subscriptions" (Paragraph 44). "We note the absence of evidence that short embargo periods harm subscription publishers" (Paragraph 49).
Also see the June 2012 final report of the large-scale PEER (Publishing and the Ecology of European Research) study, supported by the European Commission's eContentplus program and coordinated by the International Association of Science, Technical and Medical Publishers. Norbert Lossau, the Scientific Coordinator of OpenAIRE and a member of the PEER Executive Committee, summarized the report this way: "[T]he economic research of the PEER project could not find any evidence for the hypothesis that self-archiving affects journal viability." Indeed, it found that green OA created a modest benefit for publishers. From the final report at p. 11: "A Randomised Controlled Trial indicates that making preprints visible in PEER repositories is associated with more traffic to the publisher sites at the aggregate level, but this varies by publisher and subject. Overall, PEER is associated with a significant, if relatively modest, increase in publisher downloads, in the confidence range 7.5% to 15.5%" (emphasis added).
Also see the February 2012 report from the business-oriented Committee for Economic Development, The Future of Taxpayer-Funded Research: Who Will Control Access to the Results? From the executive summary at p. 6: "No persuasive evidence exists that greater public access as provided by the NIH policy has substantially harmed subscription-supported STM publishers over the last four years or threatens the sustainability of their journals or their ability to fund peer review."
See Harvard's January 2012 submission to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy: "[I]f publishers believe that short embargo periods would harm them, they should release data showing it. Researchers, research institutions, and taxpayers cannot be expected to prove the negative, or to prove the harmlessness of short embargoes. Until there is data to show harm, we must act in the public interest and provide early or immediate public access to publicly funded research. If publishers provide data showing substantive harm, then it may become appropriate to consider what kind of compromise with the public interest might be justified."
Also see the updates and supplements for p. 152, above, on the state of evidence that rising levels of green OA cause journal cancellations.
At p. 158, endnote 9 (note text at p. 216). Correction. The URL I cite for this ALPSP report is now dead, and the ALPSP provides no redirect. Here's a new URL: http://www.alpsp.org/Ebusiness/ProductCatalog/Product.aspx?ID=26.
At p. 158, endnote 10 (note text at p. 216). Correction. The URL I cite for Jonathan Weitzman's article is now dead. Here's a new URL: http://web.archive.org/web/20040228064824/http://www.biomedcentral.com/openaccess/archive/?page=features&issue=6.
At pp. 159-160, I say, "Some publishers fear that rising levels of green OA will not only trigger toll-access journal cancellations but also increase pressure to convert to gold OA. (Likewise, some OA activists hope for this outcome.)" Add these notes.
See Peter Suber, Will open access undermine peer review? SPARC Open Access Newsletter, September 2, 2007. "[Let's] focus on the weakness [of the publisher] claim that if rising OA does cut journal revenue, then the journals will fold up and stop providing peer review. It's much more likely that, if they could no longer sustain themselves on subscription revenue, they would convert to OA and continue providing peer review. Survival as an OA journal would be vastly preferable to folding up, and most would try it at least experimentally before turning out the lights and closing the door....At such a dinosaur moment, some will adapt rather than die, and most will at least try. We know that adaptation is possible because many are already adapting. Every year since 2005 the number of TA journals converting to OA has increased significantly. Publishers don't like this scenario because OA journals have lower profit margins and "unproved" business models. But it's one thing to argue that TA journals might be forced to adapt to a changing world and survive in a less profitable form, and quite another to argue that they will not survive at all. However, publisher lobbyists prefer the Chicken Little objection and invariably fail to draw this distinction. The objection that business models for OA journals are not proven should be taken seriously, and can be seriously answered. Indeed, taking it seriously puts a different color on lobbyist predictions that publishers would fold up their TA journals rather than convert to OA. Suddenly that kind of dramatic ending looks less like the result of inexorable causation than a business judgment made in advance of the facts."
See Peter Suber, "Preface" to Solomon, Laakso, and Björk, Converting Scholarly Journals to Open Access: A Review of Approaches and Experiences, Harvard Library, June 2016, p. 5. "If you’re an academic librarian, you probably cancel journals every year for budgetary reasons alone. You're in a good position to tell journals that you cancel with regret, not because they are atrocious (the atrocious ones were cancelled long ago), but because the collision between limited library budgets and fast-rising journal prices makes painful choices unavoidable. You're in a good position to make the case that converting to OA is better than cancellation, for everyone, and that new evidence shows that converting to OA can preserve or enhance readership, submissions, quality, and financial sustainability."
At p. 160, I quote Derk Haank, then-CEO of Springer: "In 2008 when Springer bought BioMed Central and became the world’s largest OA publisher, Haank said: “[W]e see open access publishing as a sustainable part of STM publishing, and not an ideological crusade.” " Add this note.
Five years later, in September 2013, Springer said in a press release, "Open access is now at the heart of Springer's strategy,...with BioMed Central delivering an increasingly substantial fraction of the company’s growth...."
At p. 160, I say, "OA publishing might be more sustainable than TA publishing, as toll-access prices and the volume of research both grow faster than library budgets." Add these notes.
Correction. Change "TA" to "toll-access". (I used the abbreviation in my manuscript, but MIT Press wanted to minimize the use of abbreviations; I spelled out most instances of the abbreviation but missed this one.)
See Donald Force and Elizabeth Shaffer, Records Management and Peer-Reviewed Journals: An Assessment: Final Report, April 2013. Force and Shaffer ask whether records information management (RIM) professionals in North America should launch a peer-reviewed journal and, if so, whether the journal should be OA. They look carefully at many relevant factors, including the results of a survey of RIM professionals. Deliberations of this kind often focus with fear on the supposed unsustainability of OA journals. But this one takes a notably different turn: "The contemporary journal publishing landscape is currently undergoing reflection and change in the face of evolving technologies and the ever-increasing call for open access to information and publicly funded research. Any new journal entering the current landscape would need to consider the sustainability of a non-open access model."
At pp. 160-161, I say, "If publishers acknowledge that gold OA can be sustainable, and even profitable, and merely wish to avoid making lower margins than they make today, then their objection takes on a very different color. They're not at risk of insolvency, just reduced profits, and they're not asserting a need for self-protection, just an entitlement to current levels of profit. There's no reason for public funding agencies acting in the public interest, or private funders acting for charitable purposes, to compromise their missions in order to satisfy this sense of publisher entitlement." Add these notes:
See Robert Heinlein, "Life-Line," 1939: "There has grown up in the minds of certain groups in this country the notion that because a man or corporation has made a profit out of the public for a number of years, the government and the courts are charged with the duty of guaranteeing such profit in the future, even in the face of changing circumstances and contrary to public interest. This strange doctrine is not supported by statute or common law. Neither individuals nor corporations have any right to come into court and ask that the clock of history be stopped, or turned back."
For a more elaborate and analytic version of Heinlein's argument (above), see Mark A. Lemley and Mark P. McKenna, Unfair Disruption, Stanford Law and Economics Olin Working Paper No. 532, March 1, 2019. "New technologies disrupt existing industries. They always have, and they probably always will. Incumbents don’t like their industries to be disrupted. And they often rely on intellectual property (IP), unfair competition, or related legal doctrines as tools to prevent disruptive entry....Our goal in this paper is to address the broader question of when competition by market disruption is 'unfair.' "
At p. 161, I say, "Even if green OA does eventually threaten toll-access journal subscriptions, green OA policies are still justified." Add these notes.
I elaborated this point in a blog post from July 2014. "Publishers have been claiming for years that short embargoes [for green OA] cause cancellations, but there is no evidence to support the claim....But...[s]uppose we had good data showing that short embargoes caused cancellations, or that a uniform embargo across fields caused more cancellations in the fields with longer article half-lives [or that increasing green OA increased cancellations]. It still would not follow that policies should permit longer embargoes [or curb green OA]. To get to that conclusion we'd have to add premises. These premises are often assumed, but they are remarkably weak once made explicit for examination. We'd have to add the premise that public policies should maximize publisher revenue before maximizing public access to publicly-funded research. Or we'd have to add the premise that policies should put publisher interests ahead of researcher interests. I reject these premises. Research funding agencies, especially public funding agencies, ought to reject them as well...."
I also elaborated this point in Digital access to knowledge: Research chat with Harvard’s Peter Suber, Journalists' Resource, October 16, 2012: "Open access would be justified even if it did cause some harm to academic publishers. But it’s not causing harm. The Congressional witnesses effectively admit it. {See p. 152 and the updates and supplements for p. 152.}...Academic publishers fear that the harm is coming. Maybe it is, and maybe it isn’t. The case for open access is based on real needs, and the case against it is based on conjecture and fear. Let’s adopt an OA policy for publicly-funded research and see what happens. One day, if publishers can show evidence that the policy harms them, then we can look at the evidence and decide, in light of that evidence, what’s in the public interest."
I also elaborated this point in Tectonic movements toward OA in the UK and Europe, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, September 2, 2012: "If rising levels of green OA do start to cause cancellations, for example, in fields outside physics, then we can decide what to do about it. We can act in light of the evidence, whatever it turns out to be. We can weigh the demonstrable degree of harm to publishers against the demonstrable degree of benefit to research, researchers, research institutions, and taxpayers. We can see to what extent the publishers experiencing cancellations are doing their best to adapt to the opportunities of the digital age, and to what extent they are laggards at adaptation who deserve no public assistance, especially at the expense of researchers and taxpayers. In short, we needn't let fear of harm serve as evidence of harm, and we needn't assume without discussion that even evidence of harm to subscription publishers would justify compromising the public interest in public access to publicly-funded research. Policy-makers must take seriously the argument that green OA mandates could be justified even if they do eventually cause cancellations. The case for this 'even if' argument can be long or short. It's essentially the argument for OA itself....[I]t's also the argument that public agencies should put the public interest ahead of private interests....But in either form, the argument is essential to avoid the mistake of letting public agencies make insurance for publishers a higher priority than access to publicly-funded research."
Here's how I put a similar point in an article in the SPARC Open Access Newsletter for December 2010: "I've often praised SCOAP3 as our best hope for a peaceful revolution in the shift from peer-reviewed TA journals to peer-reviewed OA journals. However, SCOAP3 is not the only strategy for that transition. It's just the only one that builds on negotiation, cooperation, and stakeholder consent. The chief alternative to the SCOAP3 strategy is to grow the volume of green OA — whether or not it triggers a shift from TA journals to gold OA. I support both strongly, with equal emphasis on "both" and "strongly". I don't want either to be the only arrow in our quiver. I strongly support green OA mandates and other methods for growing the volume of green OA, and I support them regardless of their effect on publishers....The goal of green OA is not to force subscription journals to convert to gold OA. The goal is to share knowledge and accelerate research. The idea is not for researchers and research institutions to harm or transform publishers, but for researchers and research institutions to act in their own interests. However, the effect could create economic risk for publishers, and hence create economic pressures to avert that risk. Instead of a frictionless flip, brought about by consent and self-interest, the all-green strategy could bring about a high-friction flip, preceded by hostile lobbying and disinformation and followed by resentment and acrimony....But as I said, I support the green strategy regardless of its effect on publishers. I'll take this revolution with or without friction. I support green OA because it delivers more OA more quickly and less expensively than gold OA. It needn't wait for journals to decide to convert or for new born-OA journal to learn the ropes. It isn't limited to new work submitted to OA journals, but can cover new work published anywhere. However, for the narrow goal of increasing gold OA, as opposed to broader goal of increasing OA overall, I support the win-win logic of SCOAP3. Both strategies may bring about the same volume of OA in the end. But if it works, the win-win logic will convert publishers and journals with consent and cooperation. As I argued in SOAN last year, 'Peaceful revolution through negotiation and self-interest is more amicable and potentially more productive than adaptation forced by falling asteroids.' "
Apart from the continuing justification for OA, we would face what I've called the disentangling problem. See my Predictions for 2008, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, December 2, 2007: "[E]ven if subscriptions fall as OA archiving rises, it will be difficult to disentangle the cancellations caused by OA from the cancellations caused by natural attrition and librarian triage. Some part of the cancellations will be due to unbearable prices and onerous licensing terms....The disentangling problem will be aggravated by the fact that journals respond to cancellations by raising their prices, triggering new cancellations, and we already know (from the study in March 2006) that high prices cause many more cancellations than OA archiving."
Chapter 9: Future
oa.ecr (for "early career researchers")
oa.growth
oa.obstacles
oa.predictions
At p. 165, I say, "Generational change is on the side of OA." Add these notes.
Also see Generation Gap in Authors' Open Access Views and Experience, Reveals Wiley Survey, October 8, 2013: "Early career professionals were 6% more likely to publish under a Creative Commons (CC) license than more mature researchers, while over half of respondents above the age of 55 preferred not to use CC licenses of any kind." For more detail, see slides 17-18 in the accompanying slide deck.
Also see We’re embracing change say young researchers in latest analysis, Taylor & Francis, October 2014: "Those in the 20-29 year old age group were most likely to agree that open access journals have a larger readership than subscription journals (58% either strongly agreed or agreed with this statement) and that open access journals are more heavily cited. Across all other age groups agreement with these statements decreased with age, with just 15% of those who were 70 or over expressing the same level of agreement on citations. Authors in their sixties and seventies offered the opposite opinion to those in their twenties, being the least likely to agree that open access publication increased readership and citations, and most likely to agree with the statement that there is ‘no fundamental benefit to open access’."
Also see Hamish Campbell, Mariana A. Micheli-Campbell, and Vinay Udyawer, Early Career Researchers Embrace Data Sharing, Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 2018. "Responses [to data-sharing requests] were positive in only 11% of requests made to corresponding authors (CAs) that were senior researchers, while 72% of responses were positive when CAs were early career researchers (ECRs)."
Also see Sarah Wipperman, Scholarly Communication Survey Results on Open Access Themes, September 19, 2018. "94% [of survey respondents] were in favor of implementing an open access policy at [the University of Pennsylvania], with 68% strongly in favor....[All] graduate students who answered this question were in favor of an open access policy, with none opposed...."
At p. 165, I say, "Time itself has reduced the panic-induced misunderstandings of OA." Add this note.
See my Predictions for 2008, SPARC Open Access Newsletter, December 2, 2007. After listing several OA initiatives from publishers formerly opposed to OA, I predict more of the same: "Some of these OA projects will be motivated by fear of OA and the desire to prepare for it. But some will be motivated, in effect, by the decline in fear. We're entering the post-panic period of the OA revolution, and as panic subsides, more and more former opponents will be willing to acknowledge the virtues of OA and try to benefit from them. It will be easier see nuance, rather than undifferentiated menace, and recognize that some variations on the theme may fit a given publisher's plans and research niche even if other variations do not."
At p. 167, I say, "Even if we acknowledge the need for cultural change in the transition to OA —far more critical than technological change— it's easy to underestimate the cultural barriers and the time required to work through them." Add these notes.
See Hofstadter's Law: "It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law."
See Michael Nielsen, Reinventing Discovery, Princeton University Press, 2011, p. 206: "The inventor and scientist Daniel Hillis has observed that "there are problems that are impossible if you think about them in two-year terms —which everyone does— but they're easy if you think in fifty-year terms." The problem of open science is a problem of this type. Today, creating an open scientific culture seems to require an impossible change in how scientists work. But by taking small steps we can gradually cause a major cultural change."
The University of Liege adopted an OA mandate in 2007, and was the first institution anywhere to limit assessment of candidates for promotion, tenure, and awards to works on deposit in the repository. Ten years later, Bernard Rentier, the rector who recommended the policy, reported that it had succeeded in changing the culture at the institution and was no longer necessary. "And 10 years after the launch of the 'ORBi' archive [and its accompanying OA policy], the pressure of the mandate is no longer needed. Everyone has understood the incomparable advantages of the tool in terms of article visibility and on many other aspects. Closing the archive would cause an internal revolution!" If other evidence shows that cultural change is necessary for effective implementation, this report is evidence that cultural change is sufficient.
A survey of publishers conducted by the DOAJ (summer 2018, released January 2019) documented one of the major cultural obstacles to OA: "86% of respondents said that in their countries researchers are evaluated on where they publish rather than what they publish."
Chapter 10: Self-Help
Section 10.1: How to Make Your Work Gold OA
Section 10.2: How to Make Your Work Green OA
Updates and supplements for Chapter 10:
I restated many of the points from this chapter in a public talk at the Berkman Klein Center, October 23, 2012. See the online handout I wrote to accompany the talk, How to make your own work open access. The handout includes active links and I update it as needed.
At p. 170, I say, "[A]bout 30 percent of OA journals charge author-side fees and about half the articles published in OA journals appear in those fee-based journals." Add these notes.
See William Walters and Anne Linvill, "Characteristics of Open Access Journals in Six Subject Areas," College and Research Libraries, August 2010. "While just 29 percent of OA journals charge publication fees, those journals represent 50 percent of the articles in our study."
See Mikael Laakso and Bo-Christer Björk, Anatomy of open access publishing: a study of longitudinal development and internal structure, BMC Medicine, October 22, 2012: "OA journals requiring article-processing charges have become increasingly common, publishing 166,700 articles in 2011 (49% of all OA articles)."
See Walt Crawford, Open Access Journals 2014, DOAJ subset, April 2015, showing that 64% of the articles published in OA journals in 2013 were published in fee-based OA journals.
See Walt Crawford, The Gold OA Landscape, 2011-2014, Cites & Insights, October 2015, p. 20: "Most gold OA journals (not quite three-quarters) are funded by societies, universities and colleges, libraries, government agencies, grants or subsumed costs, without charging APCs (although some of those are using temporary no-APC periods to boost article submissions). But the 26% of journals that do charge APCs...published 57% of the OA articles (in reputable journals) in 2014, and assuming level APCs, pay journals have published a majority of OA articles since 2013."
At p. 173, I say, "[If you don't have an OA repository in your institution or field,] consider one of the universal repositories open to research articles of all kinds. I recommend OpenDepot, OpenAire, Academia, and Mendeley." After Elsevier bought Mendeley (April 2013, after this book came out), I stopped recommending Mendeley and wrote a blog post about it. In October 2013 (also after this book came out), I wrote a new version of Chapter 10 as a wiki-based handout, How to make your own work open access. That handout has long since stopped recommending Academia and Mendeley, for the kinds of reasons since summarized (December 2015) very well by the University of California Office of Scholarly Communication. My top recommendation for a universal repository is now Zenodo.
Updates and Supplements for the Glossary:
At p. 175, and elsewhere in the book, especially Section 3.3, I define OA to include both gratis access and libre access. Moreover, I define libre access to cover the whole spectrum beyond fair use, not just the most-free or least-restricted end of that spectrum (that is, not just the CC-BY and CC0 end of the spectrum). Some allies differ from me on both of these points. That is, some want to define OA to mean libre access only, and some want to define libre access to cover just the most-free end of the spectrum beyond fair use.
I first defended my use of these definitions in the August 2008 article in which I borrowed the gratis/libre terminology from the world of software and introduced it into world of scholarship. I defended it several times thereafter in blog posts, and defended it most recently in the second postscript to my June 2012 article on the rise of libre OA. Undoubtedly some disagreements still remain. However, in my view, these disputes are entirely verbal, and turn on how we should define and use certain terms. Unless we are careless, they should not interfere with our understanding of the underlying issues, distinctions, and policies, let alone with the actions we take based on that understanding. For example, we can use and recommend CC-BY while allowing that the term "open access" and even the terms "libre access" and "libre OA" cover more than CC-BY.
In too many discussions for too many years, important substantive questions were obscured by verbal disputes and definition wars. The gratis/libre terminology, or the equivalent, and the names of well-defined open licenses, can help us get past verbal disputes and focus on substance.
I stand by my position on p. 70: "The best way to refer to a specific flavor of libre OA is by referring to a specific open license. We’ll never have unambiguous, widely understood technical terms for every useful variation on the theme. But we already have clearly named licenses for all the major variations on the theme, and we can add new ones for more subtle variations any time we want."
Notes for the Preface
Notes for Chapter 1
Notes for Chapter 10
For updates and supplements to a given endnote, see the page for the note call. For example, the note call for endnote 2 in Chapter 3 occurs on p. 50, and the note text occurs on p. 187. Any updates and supplements to that endnote will be collected in an entry for p. 50, not in an entry for p. 187.
Updates and supplements for the index:
Add new entry: Students, 73, 174. See also Theses and dissertations.
Add new entry: Terry, Sharon, 204-205
Toll-access (or conventional) journals and publishers.
Add new sub-entry: Right to refuse to publish any work for any reason, 126-128
Add new entry: Translation, 27, 74
In many places above I link to tag libraries from the Open Access Tracking Project. All OATP tag libraries are crowd-sourced and updated in real time. You can make them more complete by taking part as an OATP tagger. (Disclosure: I launched OATP in 2009 and still oversee it.)
Retrieved from "http://cyber.harvard.edu/hoap/?title=Open_Access_(the_book)&oldid=8112"
Unless stated otherwise, contents of the HOAP wiki stand under a [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC-BY 3.0)] license.
About Harvard Open Access Project
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Rosetta spacecraft’s comet has a double nucleus!
Posted by Deborah Byrd in Science Wire | Space | July 15, 2014
More complex shape for 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko restricts potential sites for November 11 landing. “Wow, wow, wow! I can’t wait to get closer!”
The Rosetta probe has acquired sensational new images of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, which it is now chasing through space, destined for an historic touchdown on the comet on November 11, 2014. The pictures show that the comet appears have a double nucleus or core, making it what scientists call a “contact binary.”
In video footage taken from the Rosetta spacecraft on July 11, 2014 – as it speeds towards Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko – scientists have identified what looks like a double nucleus, or core, for the comet. The images shown above have been artifically “smoothed;” the actual images are more pixelated due to the thousands of miles that still separate Rosetta from its comet. Still, the double structure seems clear. Emily Lakdawalla of the Planetary Society wrote about the finding in her blog earlier today (July 15). She wrote:
The nucleus of the comet is clearly a contact binary – two smaller (and unequally sized object) in close contact. The CNES page where this photo was released says the whole nucleus measures 4 by 3.5 kilometers, in good agreement with Hubble and Spitzer estimates. Philippe Lamy is quoted as estimating that the two components would have come into contact at a relative speed of about 3 meters per second in order to stick together in this way.
Wow, wow, wow. I can’t wait to get closer!
Universe Today said:
Only a handful of spacecraft have ever got up close to a comet … While a contact binary may be a surprise to scientists, the irregular shape spotted from afar was something that we’ve seen before in other comets.
‘Irregular, elongated, and structured shapes are not uncommon for small bodies such as asteroids and comets,’ stated the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in a release last week. ‘Of the five cometary nuclei that have been visited by spacecraft in close flybys so far, all are far from spherical.’
The European Space Agency (ESA) mission team will have to take the double nucleus of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko as it plans how to land on the comet later this year. The CNES release quoted the lander’s navigator Eric Jurado as saying that:
… navigation around such a body should not be much more complex than around a nucleus of irregular spherical type, but landing the Philae probe, however, could be more difficult, as this form restricts potential landing zones.
Meanwhile, across the globe on Tuesday, planetary scientists were exuberant over the new findings, and some, including @Alex_Parker on Twitter had fun with the new images …
Bottom line: New images of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, taken on July 11, reveal a double comet core. The more complex shape for the comet “restricts potential landing zones.” The landing on the comet is scheduled for November 11 of this year.
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New Minority Language Data Resets Environment for Voting Assistance in 2012
By Doug Chapin October 13, 2011
Yesterday, the U.S. Census Bureau released a notice of determination of minority language status following the 2010 census.
It’s an interesting list – while some jurisdictions will be required for the first time to make voting materials available in alternate languages for the first time, many other jurisdictions who were on the list in 2002 are not this time around. As the Associated Press reported, the total number of covered jurisdictions went from 296 jurisdictions in 30 states ten years ago to 248 jurisdictions in 25 states beginning in 2012.
If you want to play with the data, I did a quick grab and reformat of the 2002 and 2012 determinations, which you can find here.
There are some interesting tidbits in there – for example, there is apparently a sizable Filipino population in Alaska’s Aleutians East Borough and enough Bangladeshis in Michigan’s Hamtramck City to qualify for language assistance.
It will be especially interesting to see what happens in those jurisdictions who no longer appear on the 2012 list; do they continue to offer voting materials in alternate languages? Or does such assistance fall victim to the overall desire to save resources in the current tight fiscal environment?
For jurisdictions just joining the list – or in the case of Los Angeles County, CA, adding yet another language – my observations from August still stand:
[I]nformation sharing [about minority language materials] can and should happen both within and between states; while no two jurisdictions (or language communities) are alike, having common materials will afford newcomers a “first draft” that will help them get started while “old timers” will see many more use cases of their materials that be used to further improve what they already have.
Stay tuned – there will undoubtedly be far more news on this front over the next several months.
Previous: The Empty Mailbox: Why Aren’t Election Offices Responding to EAC Data Requests?
Next: “Supposing is Good, But Finding Out is Better”: The Value of Observational Data In Election Research
6 Comments on "New Minority Language Data Resets Environment for Voting Assistance in 2012"
Toby Moore | October 13, 2011 at 10:25 am | Reply
Good post, Doug. It will also be interesting to see how the Obama DOJ approaches enforcement. Remember the Bush Administration made stringent enforcement a hallmark (the hallmark?) of its VRA enforcement, in part I think to cover its lack of enthusiasm for other parts of the act. For election officials, whether the Obama DOJ takes a cooperative approach and works with local offices, or insists on memoranda of agreement (or other court-enforced devices), can make a world of difference for how they run their offices.
Tighter election budgets may also complicate the efforts of some election directors to keep their jurisdictions out of hot water by making it more difficult to proactively provide assistance …
Doug Chapin | October 13, 2011 at 10:30 am | Reply
I’m also curious whether, as more and more jurisdictions offer language assistance, the “start up costs” for such assistance go down. Specifically, I wonder whether new 203 jurisdictions end up spending less (in real dollars) as compared to their 2002 counteparts.
Doug Chapin | October 13, 2011 at 1:01 pm | Reply
South Dakota Secretary of State Jason Gant released the following statement (https://www.facebook.com/notes/jason-gant-secretary-of-state/secretary-of-state-gant-announces-us-census-bureau-updates-lakota-language-assis/247608668622904):
Today the United States Census Bureau released an update to jurisdictions subject to minority language assistance. As a result of new census data, South Dakota went from having 18 counties subject to the act in 2002 to zero counties subject to the act as a result of the 2010 census count. The list, which will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, identifies which jurisdictions are covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act and must provide language assistance for language groups.
Secretary Gant noted, “I view the removal of federal oversight as less of a problem and more of an opportunity. For example, in the 2010 general election, in one county, translators and equipment for Lakota language assistance cost taxpayers more than $2400, and they had zero use of the system in the election. Instead of expensive federal mandates, we will be working at the local level with tribal leaders to achieve local solutions while saving taxpayer dollars.”
Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act mandates that a state or political subdivision must provide language assistance to voters if more than five (5) percent of voting age citizens are members of a single-language minority group and do not “speak or understand English adequately enough to participate in the electoral process” and “if the rate of those citizens who have not completed the fifth grade is higher than the national rate of voting age citizens who have not completed the fifth grade.”
“This is a defining moment in voting for Native Americans across South Dakota,” Gant said. “Our mission now is to ensure that no vote goes uncounted.” In conjunction with today’s announcement, Secretary Gant has announced steps that his office will be taking to ensure equal access to the ballot for affected Lakota speaking Native Americans.
The existing Voting Rights program, in place since 2002, has come under fire in the past due to excessive costs with minimal usage to conduct the program in South Dakota. Gant noted, “We have the opportunity to move past federal government solutions on federally mandated language requirements. Working with South Dakota tribal leaders, we can find reasonable answers to ensure that Lakota speaking Native American voters – many of them elderly – are served by the electoral process with simplicity and dignity.”
“We’ve enjoyed great relations with South Dakota tribes, working together on corporate registration and other business issues. We’ll likely combine our dialogue on ballot translation with other topics as we work together on mutually beneficial solutions.”
Steve | October 13, 2011 at 1:53 pm | Reply
Perhaps the “minimal usage” mentiond by the DS SOS is indicative of a general failure to engage in appropriate outreach to and partnerships with native communities.
Toby Moore | October 13, 2011 at 3:53 pm | Reply
The South Dakota stuff is interesting. I doubt many Native Americans (particularly those living near Wounded Knee!) will agree that this is “a defining moment in voting for Native Americans.”
That said, the coverage formula probably works better in some places than others. When I was on the Pine Ridge reservation for elections I asked a lot of Lakota if they knew of any tribes people who had trouble with English, and they could only speculate that there might be some very elderly people living in remote areas who might have trouble, but they didn’t know of any. For those voters, it’s probably more personal assistance that is needed than, say, bilingual materials. In any case, it will be interesting to see what happens in South Dakota now that the mandate is gone.
John Tanner | October 14, 2011 at 7:40 am | Reply
A fair amount of the Native American coverage was (and is) illusory. The coverage formula is based on the language need rate in reservations, and a number of counties with zero Native population were/are covered because they include unpopulated parts of reservations.
Most of the counties – both Native American and Spanish – that dropped out are rural areas with very small populations.
The big relative increase is in the Asian language coverage. Past experience indicates that the new Asian coverage will pose real challenges for many counties. There was little new Spanish coverage compared to the 1992-2002 increase.
For what it’s worth, 5 of the 6 Voting Rights Act cases filed during the Obama administration to date have involved the minority language provisions.
The start-up and ongoing costs depend upon how thoughtful and proactive the election officials are. There are ways to minimize costs while seerving voters effectivley, and ways to waste a lot of money while serving few voters.
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AN/TPQ-49 - US Light Counter-Fire Radar
AN/TPQ-49 counterfire radar. Photo: SRC Inc.
Maksymilian Dura
SRC Inc.
AN/TPQ-49 light counterfire radar is a system, which could act a complementary measure that is going to be coupled with the heavier firefinder radar assets. The radar may act as an element of an early warning system for detection of missiles, artillery and mortar rounds, but it can also be employed as a part of the fire control system for own artillery assets.
AN/TPQ-49 counterfire radar is classified as C-RAM equipment (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar). The primary purpose of such radiolocation is to provide own forces with relevant information concerning the incoming RAM ordnance. Secondly, systems of this class are also utilized in order to define the locations from which the rounds are fired, and thus make it possible to develop firing solutions for own artillery assets.
As there is a demand to immediately react to the emerging threats, counterfire radars shall be characterized by a high degree of accuracy and short span of reaction time. Thus, rotating antenna arrays are seen as insufficiently efficient in case of such systems, as the refresh rate in case of the rotating antenna is too low, to intercept artillery rounds travelling at high velocities. Thereby, most of the counterfire radars use fixed and relatively large antenna arrays.
The antenna dimensions are fairly important, as high resolution and quality track specification are indispensable to detect small rounds. These parameters depend on the antenna array physical dimension too. However, the larger the antenna is, the greater the radar dimensions become, which makes the station much more expensive and much harder to transport and deploy. Furthermore, fixed antenna makes the array directional, limiting the size of the area monitored. AN/TPQ-49 is a light US-made system that may be used as a measure that could complement other, heavier firefinder assets.
Photo: SRC Inc.
AN/TPQ-49 counterfire radar.
This electronically scanned antenna is the main feature that distinguishes this radar. The antenna in question allows for 360 degrees observation and 3D target tracking (elevation from 0 to 30 degrees). However, directional (sector) operation is also possible, which enhances the refresh rate achievable by the radar.
The manufacturer suggests that the radar in question makes it possible to detect and track rounds that were shot within the observed area of around 315 square kilometres (10 km radius), with regards to numerous rounds being tracked simultaneously. The data may be used within the early warning system. It is also possible to define the RAM firing positions on the basis of the information gathered by the radar, at ranges greater than 10 kilometres, and with 75 metres of accuracy at distance of 5 kilometres. The said data may be utilized to launch a relevant counter-attack.
Thus, the user may rapidly react and destroy the enemy artillery before it changes its position. This may happen within the framework of the C4ISR, SHORAD or defence systems used in an ad-hoc manner by the deployed units.
The firefinder radar that was being operated [by the US units] previously, AN/TPQ-48, had been designed for the latter purpose, fulfilling it within C-RAM systems for the US SOCOM quick reaction forces. Thus AN/TPQ-48 system has also been designed with the potential air-drop operations in mind.
The combat experience gathered with regards to the AN/TPQ-48 system led the designers to mechanical reinforcement of the AN/TPQ-49 solution, along enhancement of the tactical specification and functionality. Thanks to the above two operators may set up and dismantle the radar in less than 20 minutes. And this is possible primarily thanks to the new antenna design: the antenna array weighs 68 kilograms, has a diameter of 102 cm and is 216 cm high. The small dimensions greatly contribute to the system’s portability.
The antenna section is based on a special tripod that may be deployed anywhere, also on the buildings, or as a part of the forward operating base infrastructure. The antenna system itself may also be installed on masts, thanks to which the observation range could be potentially extended, which is especially valuable in rough terrain.
The radar power consumption is low (up to 1.2 kW), which does not require a specific purpose dedicated power supply unit. It is enough to provide 110/240 VAC or 24 V DC electricity (generator or a vehicle). Alternatively, a battery may also be used as a power supply for the system. According to the Americans, the radar in question may also be used by small elements stationed at forward operating bases. This is one of the reasons that motivated the designers to give the AN/TPQ-49 an ability of being operated remotely.
The antenna array is shock-proof as it does not feature any moving parts, which also translates into low maintenance requirements. This, on the other hand, significantly diminishes the operational costs throughout the radar’s lifecycle. The antenna itself consists of 24 identical longitudinal column-shaped antenna systems, uniformly distributed with 15 degrees increments around the central base. The above makes it possible to create 24 overlapping beams. The columns may be arranged and freely dismantled. In transport setting they may be packed separately.
AN/TPQ-49 is a modular expandable design. Tests are in progress, the goal of which would be to integrate the antenna array with an optronic sensor, which would make it possible to create a complete security and observation system. The same method is used for setting up secondary radar antenna array with IFF system integrated. This makes it possible to utilize the AN/TPQ-49 radar as a part of airspace monitoring and air traffic control solution.
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Home Living Health
Michelle Obama Says She’s Dealing with ‘Low-Grade Depression’
A lot of Michelle Obama’s depression issues can be blamed on Donald Trump
*While discussing mental health amid the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing protests over racial injustice with Michele Norris, the former anchor of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” Michelle Obama explained that her low-grade depression, as she calls it, is not “Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting.”
In part, the former First Lady says she also blames the Trump administration’s response to current events for her depression:
“I don’t think I’m unusual, in that,” Obama said. “But I’d be remiss to say that part of this depression is also a result of what we’re seeing in terms of the protests, the continued racial unrest, that has plagued this country since its birth.”
Read on for more.
READ THIS, TOO: Candace Owens: COVID is ‘Greatest Rigging of an American Election’ and ‘We’re All Playing a Part’ (Watch)
HU Staff: Kecia Gayle @kecia.kae In a new episode of Michelle Obama’s podcast, the former First Lady acknowledged that she is “dealing with some form of low-grade depression.” __________________________________________________ While discussing mental health amid the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing protests over racial injustice with Michele Norris, the former anchor of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” Mrs. Obama explained that her stress is not “Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting.” __________________________________________________ In part, she’s also blames Trump administration’s response to current events for her depression: “I don’t think I’m unusual, in that,” Obama said. “But I’d be remiss to say that part of this depression is also a result of what we’re seeing in terms of the protests, the continued racial unrest, that has plagued this country since its birth. I have to say that waking up to the news, waking up to how this administration has or has not responded, waking up to yet another story of a Black man or a Black person somehow being dehumanized, or hurt or killed, or falsely accused of something, it is exhausting. And it has led to a weight that I haven’t felt in my life, in a while,” The Hill quotes. ?? ___________________________________________________ Read more at hollywoodunlocked.com ?: Getty Images __________________________________________________ If you have a tip or suggestion, or want to talk to us about this story, Text the word “TIP” to 1-310-388-6463
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low grade depression
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Sobyanin's decrees adopted during the epidemic will be checked for the observance of the citizens' rights
3 June 2020, 12:07SocietyPhoto: covidstat.ru
The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health and Rospotrebnadzor were instructed to verify the use of documents adopted to fight against the spread of coronavirus infection, including decrees of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
This order was given by the Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
- The Ministry of Justice of Russia, the Ministry of Health of Russia, Rospotrebnadzor to analyze, together with the Moscow government and the expert legal community, the practice of applying normative legal acts (including decrees of the Moscow Mayor) adopted to combat the spread of new coronavirus infection in the Russian Federation, paying particular attention to the provisions most affecting the rights and interests of citizens, the document says on a government website.
Recall that on April 3, a resident of the capital, Dmitry Kisiev, filed a lawsuit in the Moscow City Court, demanding that paragraph 2 of the mayor’s decree of March 23, No. 26-UM, be declared invalid as inappropriate to Russian law. The lawsuit stated that restrictions on the movement of citizens can be announced only with the introduction of the quarantine regime and the corresponding order of the chief medical officer.
The illegality of decrees of Moscow mayors was also mentioned in a collective lawsuit, initiated by Denis Shenderovich, a municipal deputy of the Kuntsevo district. Moscow City Hall said that the lawsuit is not substantiated, and the system of passes does not violate the right to inviolability of life, family secrets and freedom of movement.
The law on the introduction of fines for violation of the self-isolation regime was previously signed by the capital's mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Lawyers expressed confidence that the city authorities have no right to fine Muscovites for violating the quarantine.
It should be noted that the Moscow City Duma deputy Pavel Tarasov criticized measures to combat coronavirus by the authorities.
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CNOOC Limited Announces Bozhong 19-6 Condensate Gas Field Pilot Area Development Project Commences Production
CNOOC Limited
HONG KONG, Oct. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 00883, NYSE: CEO, TSX: CNU) announced that Bozhong 19-6 condensate gas field pilot area development project has safely commenced production.
Bozhong 19-6 condensate gas field pilot area development project is located in the central Bohai with an average water depth of approximately 23 meters. A new wellhead platform has been built and will fully utilize the existing processing facilities of Bozhong 13-1 oilfield. 8 development wells are planned for production, including 7 production wells and 1 water source well. The project is expected to reach its peak production of approximately 35.32 million cubic feet of natural gas and 5,720 barrels of condensate oil per day by the end of 2020.
CNOOC Limited holds 100% working interest in Bozhong 19-6 condensate gas field pilot area development project and acts as the operator.
Mr. Wang Dongjin, the Chairman of the Company said, "Commencement of production in Bozhong 19-6 condensate gas field pilot area development project has laid a solid foundation for the overall development later on and will provide low-carbon and safe energy for Bohai Rim Region. Focusing on large and medium-sized oil and gas fields, the Company will continue to innovate exploration and development ideas, enhance efforts in oil and gas exploration and development, obtain more new oil and gas discoveries, and ensure high-quality and sustainable development."
More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com.
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding expected future events, business prospectus or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the expectations and predictions of the Company depends on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance and financial condition to differ materially from the Company's expectations, including but not limited to those associated with fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, macro-political and economic factors, changes in the tax and fiscal regimes of the host countries in which we operate, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, the exploration and development activities, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, environmental responsibility and compliance requirements, foreign operations and cyber system attacks. For a description of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see the documents the Company files from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed in April of the latest fiscal year.
Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.
Ms. Jing Liu
Manager, Media & Public Relations
Fax: +86-10-8452-1441
E-mail: mr@cnooc.com.cn
Ms. Ada Leung
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Asia
E-mail: CNOOC@hkstrategies.com
Source: CNOOC Limited
HongKong:0883 NYSE:CEO Toronto:CNU
http://www.cnoocltd.com
Keywords: Gas Oil/Energy Utilities
CNOOC Limited Announces Penglai 25-6 Oilfield Area 3 Project Commences Production
CNOOC Limited Announces Liuhua 29-1 Gas Field Commences Production
CNOOC Limited Announces Key Operational Statistics for Q3 2020
CNOOC Limited Announces Jinzhou 25-1 Oilfield 6/11 Area Commences Production
CNOOC Limited Announces Commencement of Production at Liuhua 16-2 Oilfield / 20-2 Oilfield Joint Development Project
CNOOC Limited Announces the First Offshore Wind Power Project Connects to Grid
SP Group Acquires ENGIE's 40 per cent Stake in Chongqing Sino-french Energy Services
Recon Announces Development of AI-based Control System of Electric Submersible Pump
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Author:John Abercromby
←Author Index: Ab John Abercromby
5th Baron Abercromby (1917–24); Scottish soldier, archaeologist, and folklorist
John Abercromby
767514Q4357724John AbercrombyJohnAbercrombyAbercromby,_John
"Magic Songs of the Finns, I" in Folk-Lore, 1 (1890)
"Magic Songs of the Finns, II" in Folk-Lore, 1 (1890)
"Magic Songs of the Finns, III" in Folk-Lore, 2 (1891), pp. 31−49
"Magic Songs of the Finns, IV" in Folk-Lore, 3 (1892), pp. 49−66
"Magic Songs of the Finns, V" in Folk-Lore, 4 (1893), pp. 27−49
"Marriage Customs of the Mordvins" in Folk-Lore, 1 (1890), pp. 417−462
"An Amazonian Custom in the Caucasus" in Folk-Lore, 2 (1891), pp. 171−181
"Samoan Stories. I" in Folk-Lore, 2 (1891), pp. 455−467
"An Analysis of Certain Finnish Myths of Origin" in Folk-Lore, 3 (1892), pp. 308−336
Some or all works by this author are in the public domain in the United States because they were published before January 1, 1926.
The author died in 1924, so works by this author are also in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 80 years or less. Works by this author may also be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
Freebase: /m/066lyc
Retrieved from "https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Author:John_Abercromby&oldid=10785913"
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Q&A: Robert Heintges on taking risks and the value of a curtain wall
Posted on July 9, 2020 (July 9, 2020) by Troy Schaum
Robert A. Heintges, founding principal of the international building envelope and curtain wall consultancy Heintges, instructs students in the Totalization studio at the Rice University School of Architecture. (Troy Schaum)
Robert Heintges is an influential architect and teacher who has advanced envelope design through his eponymous practice, Heintges & Associates, and through his teaching at Columbia GSAPP and Rice Architecture. This interview is part of my effort to document how different forms of specialized design expertise inform multiple architecture practices at once, and produce unstable forms of architectural authorship. Such questions of architectural knowledge production are central to a series of studios we have been developing at Rice Architecture and are captured in the book, Totalization: Speculative Practice in Architectural Education (Park Books, 2019) from which this interview is excerpted.
Troy Schaum: I’m curious—when did you become a wall guy?
Bob Heintges: At I.M. Pei and Partners. But when I started my career at Pei’s office, I started on a design team like everybody else—by “design,” I mean my first assignment was detailing the toilet vent roof penetrations at the East Wing of the National Gallery [of Art in Washington, D.C.]. After a few years and more responsibility, however, it was still difficult to make any contribution to design; there was a lot of politics, and it was a bit disillusioning in some ways. But then I got my first curtain wall assignment, and it was like the sky just opened up. It was for me an opportunity to be involved in the making of the building in a way that I hadn’t experienced working on any other part.
And the wall seemed like the most important part because all of the design partners in the firm, Mr. Pei included, were always very interested in the exterior of the building. I could almost walk into I.M.’s office unannounced, without an appointment, because he was always keen to talk about what was going on with the curtain wall. Even more importantly, I was getting to know the industry, visiting factories, going over shop drawings with the industry designers, and really getting to understand the whole collaborative effort of the design team working with the contractor to make it happen.
In my experience at Pei’s office, the curtain wall was really the only place where I felt that I could really make a contribution. That’s when I became a Wall Guy. And it was exciting: We were traveling all over the world to testing labs, factories, and our building sites, participating in the work first hand as it happened.
I used to fantasize that everybody else was stuck in the office, and not nearly as lucky as I was.
You started out thinking you wanted to be an artist in college. When you started working on the curtain wall, did you realize there was a potential for artfulness?
Not exactly artfulness; more a potential for learning a craft, and being a part of something larger.
Or was there a change in your ambition at that point?
It was two separate paths, to be honest. Once I became involved in curtain walls, I didn’t feel the need to use my hands and create as one might do with art. Do you know what I mean? We were doing it with the architecture. Whatever need I might have had to be an artist making things wasn’t that important once I got involved with curtain wall design, because we were actually making something tangible in the process.
It has that immediacy. It’s interesting that curtain wall design and fabrication happens at the end of the project, in a way. Maybe it’s the speed of integration with industry that requires you to move directly from design to fabrication to construction.
You’re actually not quite right about that. The curtain wall cannot really happen at the end of the project. It seems that in almost every architectural firm I’ve worked with, the design of the wall is a priority. Most architects will not necessarily admit it, because they want to believe that design is a logical process that’s evolving from program to structure to envelope, and so on, but it doesn’t really happen that way. The design of the facade is usually one of the first things to be conceived. In addition, [a] curtain wall is a long lead time item and is usually one of the first packages to go out for bid, often at the end of design development and almost always before construction documents are done.
These days it seems like you need to have some clever idea about your curtain wall in order to win the project. You’re not going to win a project based on massing or site strategy alone.
In my advanced curtain wall class at Columbia, I suggest as much: “This is the way it is really going to happen; you might be told that the wall design will evolve after the building design, but don’t believe it…” So, as a design problem in the course, I give the class a hundred photographs of abstract paintings. A student has to pick a painting, a climate zone and orientation, and turn that into a site-specific curtain wall. In other words, it’s taken almost completely out of building context. There is this two-dimensional image, and students can choose to be inspired by it and make something interpretive, or to literally replicate it so that a person standing a hundred yards away would recognize a Sam Francis or Brice Marden painting. It forces students to disassociate the design of the curtain wall from building form or spatial organization. The catch, or perhaps irony, is that this curtain wall design will probably be the most real thing they do in school, with working drawings and performance specifications by the end of the semester.
I want to ask about the globalization of your practice. In terms of design and fabrication, you’re working with collaborators all over the world, and ultimately your projects are located pretty much everywhere. Do you think that there’s some question of place or location influencing the facade industry?
There should be, and attitudes are changing, but when we started there wasn’t. We’ve worked on buildings in Singapore, for example, that could be in Houston or New York… And I couldn’t begin to count the buildings we’ve worked on where the north, south, east, and west elevations are all identical. Go figure. Architectural expression still seems to trump site-specific performance, but that’s changing now because of codes, attitudes, and social concerns like sustainability, but it’s all relatively recent.
Of course, there were then and perhaps still are sociopolitical issues that lead countries like Singapore or China or India to emulate the architecture of more developed Western countries—and they hired Western architects who brought that with them. That’s part of it. But local architects in those countries have long since come into their own, and are becoming more interested in design that is responsive to their own climate and region. That’s happened in Malaysia and Singapore, first with the work of the Malaysian architect Ken Yeang, and now with many other local architects. They’re incorporating solar shading, natural ventilation, and landscape into the building and facade design, things that are a little friendlier to the tropical environment. Wherever possible, we’ve encouraged this trend in our work overseas. Of course the entire profession here in the United States has evolved in that way, too.
Heintges is currently lending its expertise to the design and construction of the Obama Presidential Center slated for Chicago’s South Side. (Courtesy Obama Presidential Center)
Architects, and architecture as a discipline, hold certain assumptions about curtain walls and about facades. There are certain stylistic and cultural associations around glass, lightness, transparency, the thinness of sight lines, the illusion of the reading of a spandrel in a facade to create verticality. And these seem especially important now that we seem to be revisiting modernism after postmodernism. Do you see this changing? Where do you see the status of these kinds of questions, as you’re dealing with architects’ ambitions for the envelope?
Every one of our architect clients is unique, of course, and the things they each want to express or evoke in the facade vary a lot, with everything from absolute tautness to deep relief. Some architects are insistent that no metal whatsoever be expressed in a glass facade, or just as grace notes, or heavily articulated, and so on. On the World Trade Tower IV, Fumihiko Maki wanted the facade to disappear into the sky; on the Columbia Northwest Science Building, Rafael Moneo wanted the facade to articulate the building structure. I think that those things are all very personal preferences and we enjoy developing detailing strategies to help realize all of them. We like to encourage clients to really think hard about and embrace the technological potentials of materials, especially glass. As we’ve discussed in your [Totalization] studio [at Rice]: it’s about playing with the materiality of glass, not just its transparency or reflectivity. One can do the same thing with metals, terra-cotta, and even stone. Is it a natural finish? An illusion? A glaze or surface treatment? These materials are all very different, but you can coax out their intrinsic possibilities, rather than just overlaying them.
You’re in a unique position to work with a lot of architects. Over your career, have you seen trends and attitudes changing around transparency? I’m thinking, for instance, of the stone curtain walls you saw in many postmodern buildings.
I think so. For many postmodernists, glass was just an annoyance. It was just the window, but architectural trends always seem to have technical aspects that carry over. When I first started working on curtain walls at Pei’s office, architects were much more interested in stone, perhaps in part due to postmodernism or as a reaction to it, so many of our curtain walls were stone, and it was a great challenge. We worked closely with a number of stone fabricators in Italy and other countries. It was exciting for a young architect like me; it was very romantic to be a part of a centuries-old tradition, and not exactly a hardship with factory inspections in Italy. That trend changed again in the 1990s and morphed back into glass. Now it seems to be changing again away from glass, in some ways.
There’s a lot of interest today in other materials: polymers, terra-cotta, ceramics, pure metals, etc., as well as stone, again. But glass is still so special as a material. After all, it’s a super-cooled liquid, not a solid, so it’s no surprise that it has intrigued and enamored architects since it first became available as a building material. And there are still so many possibilities out there waiting to be explored. I don’t think glass is going to go away. It’s just going to get more interesting.
Do you think this trend away from glass, or toward other materials, is linked to sustainability and performance-based design of facades? That must be becoming a bigger part of your practice, I imagine.
Absolutely. There’s also much more interest in using other materials as part of a double skin, in vertical or horizontal shading strategies, as membranes, or even solar shading with glass. In the non-academic world, however, and despite the best of intentions, the biggest challenges are still budgets. It seems that in the United States and Asia, society still does not value the built environment the way it’s valued in Europe and perhaps in Japan. For us, the built environment is still disposable. The kind of budgets required to do something really special and truly sustainable—to create a building that lasts a hundred or more years, with a highly energy-efficient facade—are just not here yet in the States. Some of the endeavors tend to be a bit superficial, but it’s not necessarily the architect’s fault. It’s socioeconomic, meaning that it’s the people that pay for things—the institutions, developers, building owners, all of us as taxpayers—that are really constraining what can be done.
Heintges consulted on the glazing and cast aluminum envelope of the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy Alan Karchmer/NMAAHC)
What about institutional projects? You worked on David Adjaye’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). That has an incredibly expressive envelope. Is it bronze?
I think that is where it starts, with institutions and corporations. The NMAAHC museum and its directors had a vision and mandate for permanence; they were inspiring clients. Even so, we did try bronze but it was too difficult, heavy, and, yes, expensive. It [ended up being] actually a special type of cast aluminum with a very unique bronze finish.
What’s the biggest challenge of a project like that? Is it governmental oversight, or is it the ambition of the architect? Or the collision of the two?
The architect’s ambitions, of course, but it’s still time and money. Those are always the biggest challenges. With the National Museum project, however, we really had the luxury of an informed and supportive client, a great design team, and the time to develop the design through trying different materials and finishes, including the best way to realize Adjaye’s intentions for the screen-walls as a double skin. We don’t have that on most projects.
A lot of what you do in curtain wall design deals primarily with architectural effects that are very hard to represent: transparency, opacity, reflectivity, refraction. Are there certain techniques you use in your office or when you’re working that help you represent those material effects? I’m sure you do mock-ups, as you have one of the largest glass libraries that I’ve ever seen. But representationally, how do you guys think about these problems?
We’re doing many more full-scale mock-ups. I think these are important on a lot of different levels, for making final choices and getting the architect and their client on the same page so everybody understands what they’re getting, and to be able to accurately visualize the implications in terms of material quality. Small material samples just aren’t enough. Project-size glass might be more distorted than expected, or have a quench pattern issue, birefringence, or unforeseen polarizing color shifts. Maybe the coatings don’t work properly, or a fin reflects in the glass so that it seems twice as deep as intended. All of those things are really important. There used to be a lot more resistance to doing these big visual mock-ups, as they add time to the schedule and cost. Clients would often want to economize by doing the visual as part of the performance mock-up, which is unfortunately too late to inform the design or confirm the materials’ visual properties. Nowadays we actually have a lot of projects with multiple full-scale visual mock-ups. Norman Foster‘s office, for one, is very insistent on that. For them, it’s a great design tool, and for us the best way to ensure quality.
We use all the standard rendering and visualization tools, too, but it’s not always possible to render materials accurately with actual spectral data or proximity reflections. A lot of architects tend to imbue their renderings with the imagined appearance. I’m all for that if it secures the project or wins the competition. By all means, show glass that’s one hundred feet by fifty feet with no means of support…
Or show it as absolutely transparent when it’s going to reflect. Are digital rendering and 3D-modeling programs able to do that more accurately now? Are those tools changing the way that you work?
That’s right. After those concept renderings, we try to model the actual appearance. I’m a little bit cynical, however, about 3-D parametric software in terms of actually detailing the curtain wall. I don’t think it is all that valuable for what we do. If we entered all the information we need in a curtain wall detail, it would just crash most programs. There’s just too much detail information in curtain wall design. When architects are designing with a whole building model, they have to simplify our details. It’s a shame to lose those beautiful details! These tools can be wonderful for visualization, but I think detailing in 3D is so constraining in terms of effort that architects can’t actually spend the time required for detailed design.
In terms of visualization, on the other hand, one really can now achieve very accurate results. With a sophisticated computer program, and with accurate optical and spectral data for the materials and proximity data from surrounding buildings, one can get really close to the expected appearance of the curtain wall.
We did that for the UN Secretariat Building. The original glass was no longer available, but we took readings of a small record sample of it, and put that spectral data, along with data of the actual sky-dome and surrounding buildings, into the model to create the image of what the original facade looked like before it was retrofitted early on with various replacement glass products and reflective films, etc. We used that image to design the new high-performance insulating and laminated glass to match the original monolithic glass.
In 2015, Heintges restored the glazed facades of all campus buildings at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. For the Secretariat slab, the team worked hard to replicate the original hue of the 1952 glass curtain wall while increasing its performance. (Park Books)
Are there any insights into that modernist legacy that you’ve uncovered by actually getting into the details and taking an iconic building like that apart?
The biggest revelation was that those architects in the forties, fifties, and sixties had real guts. They did things that were really out there, really inventive and risky; it was admirable what they would try to do without the technologies we have today. In addition to the UN, I’m thinking of Walter Netsch’s Air Force Academy Chapel, which we literally took apart to understand all the problems. Today, it would be almost unheard of to take comparable risks in creating a building like that for fear of being sued when the first drop of rain fell. I mean, the Air Force Academy Chapel has been leaking from day one. I remember my parents taking me to see it on a rainy day a couple of weeks after it was finished. It was leaking! Everyone loved it anyway! They had put some buckets down and that’s it. They were lucky it doesn’t rain much in Colorado, and that those were not litigious times.
It was the same thing with the UN Secretariat curtain wall. It had problems as soon as it was completed, in 1952: comfort problems, air infiltration, leaks, condensation, etc. That wall ended up with a lot of different Band-Aid patches and seals, reflective films, etc., to the extent that its original appearance was lost. In our early forensic work on the building, it was almost like looking at the annular rings of a tree to see how old it is; you could see the different layers of sealants. There was a complete chronological history of the development of modern sealant technology, from 1950 to 2000, in those efforts to keep water out of the building.
In a way, early Modernist architects had such faith in the movement itself, and there were no technical constraints to ignore, and, well, ignorance is bliss. They did some really fabulous things with the new materials just coming available—many of which resulted in big problems. The upside is that everybody learned from those problems. If they hadn’t taken those risks we wouldn’t be at the point in curtain wall technology that we are today.
As an educator, it seems to me that, in a way, one of the most important roles of a studio is to teach architects how to learn from failure. I think we should be sharing it more in the field, but also within your own practice. You can’t be afraid to fail forward.
We actually do that at our firm. We have weekly meetings with our entire staff to present and discuss problems and solutions, as well as the benefits and risks of new technologies. A lot of firms, unfortunately, don’t have the resources to do that.
We work with some of the most accomplished and famous design architects in the world, but it’s surprising how many of them don’t benefit from their own previous accomplishments or mistakes when designing a new building facade; sometimes it seems like they’re starting from scratch. They don’t seem to have time to organize the information from previous projects, of which there might be hundreds, every one of them unique and wonderful and incredibly detailed. If you can’t develop a library and a history within an individual firm, to learn from mistakes and successes, how can you do that on a profession-wide basis?
The Heintges team displays the glazed samples at the UN Headquarters. (Courtesy Heintges)
I think it’s because a lot of architects operate on a model of exploiting young labor that doesn’t necessarily stick around long enough to have an institutional memory.
That’s undoubtedly a part of it; and a lot of the old-timers are gone and with them the expertise. Or they relegate a lot to the industry or perhaps don’t have the time to keep searchable records of shop drawings. I don’t know what it is exactly.
That’s something interesting about your model: your partners are people that you’ve been working with for dozens of years now.
And we keep a huge library of details from every project. With respect to our business model, it sort of happened because we could not rely on finding experienced people who would also mesh well with the culture of our firm. Almost all of our staff are home-grown, so to speak. We spend a lot of time on each new employee, with training, and exposure to all facets of curtain wall design, fabrication testing, and installation within the first three years. After that almost all stay with us and eventually become mentors to the next generation of new hires. Years ago, we started our West Coast office in part because we couldn’t afford to lose any more great people who wanted to move back home.
What do you think is the hardest thing to communicate to your clients about what you do?
It’s difficult for a new client with whom we’ve never worked before to understand the value that our collaborative practice brings to the project. But once a project is completed, we have a lot of repeat clients. That’s never a question. But sometimes, even on projects with which we’ve been involved from concept design through construction, and where everything goes perfectly, a first-time client might wonder, when it’s finished, “Why did I need those fancy curtain wall consultants?” Except for those developers and architects with whom we have worked on many projects, I think the value of what we do is probably not very much appreciated, perhaps because we keep a low profile. A lot of architects may feel that they can manage by themselves, with their own resources. And many of them do just fine. And there are plenty of other curtain wall consultants out there. But I can assure you that most of the built environment has not been touched by a curtain wall consultant.
Troy Schaum is a partner of the Houston, Texas–based firm SCHAUM/SHIEH and an Associate Professor at the Rice School of Architecture, where he directs the Totalization studio. His book Totalization: Speculative Practice in Architectural Education was released in 2019.
Robert Heintges is the Founding Principal of Heintges and Adjunct Professor of Architecture at Columbia University’s GSAPP.
SHoP Architects created an iPhone app to construct the Botswana Innovation Hub
The South Central Regional Library reflects Louisville’s landscape with a stainless steel facadeSHoP Architects scales up digital design-to-fabrication and project tracking at Botswana Innovation Hub
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All Premier Teams
FA Cup 2020/2021
The FA Cup – England’s Most Prestigious Domestic Trophy
With players involved with more games than ever before, some cup competitions around the world have reduced in importance as teams prioritise league positions and continental progress. However, the FA Cup is an intrinsic, longstanding part of English football tradition and even the biggest sides can consider a season as a success by winning the trophy.
The World’s Oldest National Football Competition
The FA Cup, or Football Association Challenge Cup, to give it its official title, is the oldest domestic competition in world football. Eight years after the Football Association published the Laws of the Game, C. W. Alcock floated the idea of a challenge cup with invitations sent out to every association member. The tournament kicked off in 1871, with Wanderers becoming the inaugural champions on 16 March 1872. By 1888, the competition began to shape into what we know and love today, spurred on by the introduction of qualifying rounds.
Interestingly, while the English tournament was the first example of organised national competition football, its Scottish equivalent holds the official world record. While the Scottish FA Cup began in 1874, it has been awarded continuously since, while the English version was suspended during both World Wars.
The Magic of the FA Cup
The tournament is a national competition in the truest sense, with all clubs down to the tenth level of the English football pyramid invited to compete. Only teams without a suitable stadium or that did not compete in this competition, the FA Vase or FA Trophy during the previous season are ineligible.
This format leads to pairings of teams that may rarely or never clash in the league. The cup is notorious for upsets and giant killings, where the weaker side on paper ultimately triumphs over their more illustrious rivals. Perhaps the most famous example occurred in the 1971/72 season when non-league Hereford United came back from 1-0 down to Newcastle United of the First Division to triumph 2-1.
Such upsets are rare, but happen every season as lower-league teams progress at the expense of clubs much higher up the league pyramid.
A Storied Past
The FA Cup has been the focal point of legendary tales throughout the history of competition football. From Wimbledon’s victory over Liverpool in the 1988 final to fourth-tier Bradford’s run to the 2013 final, this is a tournament rarely without drama and excitement.
Shocks and surprises keep on coming, especially with the number of entrants usually eclipsing 600 each year.
Big Names and Success Stories
While shocks and surprises are fantastic for the neutral fan, some highly recognisable names dominate the history of the cup. Arsenal stand out as the most successful team in the competition, while vying with Manchester United for the most final appearances. Fairytale endings are rare despite giant killings along the way, with the most recent victory from a team outside the top flight being Sheffield Wednesday in 1991, just before the dawn of the Premier League era.
Steeped in tradition and as prestigious as ever, new narratives each season ensure that the FA Cup remains the most dramatic and exciting domestic cup competition in the world.
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Gary Madine
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Peter’s Retro Reviews: 10 to Midnight (1983)
by Peter Nielsen
”Forget what’s legal… Do what’s right!”
I’ve stated before that I’m a huge Charles Bronson fan, so it was only a matter of time before we landed on one of his flicks again. I vaguely remember watching 10 to Midnight in the theater back in the day, but it’s been so damn long since I last watched it, that the only thing I actually remembered about it was the ending. Come to think of it, that time in the theater might very well have been the only time I’ve ever seen it. No wonder I felt it was time for a re-watch!
A classic slasher-shot!
10 to Midnight is a great thriller with elements from the slasher genre thrown in for good measure, which is actually so common in this type of movie that maybe one shouldn’t make too much of a distinction between the two. But we’re not here to discuss genres nor the differences or similarities between them. No, we’re here to talk about my chosen movie of the week.
It was directed by J. Lee Thompson who did a bunch of movies with Charles Bronson, but also The Guns of Navarone, Firewalker and the original Cape Fear from 1962, to mention a few. Mr. Bronson himself doesn’t need much of an introduction, but I’ll mention a couple of titles anyway… Does Telefon, Breakheart Pass or Death Wish ring a bell?
Interrogation with an attitude!
Leo Kessler (Bronson) is the older detective who, together with his young rookie partner Paul McAnn, played by Andrew Stevens (The Fury), is investigating the murder of a young woman and her boyfriend. They are found naked in a park, stabbed to death. Leo recognizes the girl, Betty, from his old neighborhood as a childhood friend of his daughter Laurie. She’s played by the beautiful Lisa Eilbacher, whom you might know from Beverly Hills Cop or Leviathan.
At the funeral the girl’s father tells Leo about a diary she kept, which might help the investigation. Also present at the funeral is her killer who overhears the conversation about the diary. He, of course, wants to get his hands on that and breaks into the apartment Betty shared with a friend. While he’s searching through the place the roommate comes home and I’m sure you can all figure out what happens next…
Laurie and Paul getting a call from the killer.
The killer, Warren Stacy, is very effectively portrayed by Gene Davis (Black Eagle) and don’t worry… I’m not spoiling anything by stating that, because we know from the start who the killer is. He’s not a bad-looking guy, but he’s a bit of a douche, so he more often than not gets turned down by the ladies. Unfortunately for them, he’s a psychotic creep who doesn’t just walk away when that happens… Nope, he kills them!
His MO, or “modus operandi” if you will, is to make sure he establishes a solid alibi before the actual killing and then doing it completely naked, wearing nothing but rubber surgical gloves. You know, so as not to leave any evidence behind, thus making it tough to connect him to the murders or prosecute him in any way.
Leo is sure Warren is the killer and, against better judgment, plants false evidence in his apartment. Warren’s lawyer manages to get him off the hook and once he’s on the streets again, it’s all about revenge and this is when it gets real nasty as Warren sets his sights on Leo’s daughter.
Scary! (and I don’t mean the blood)
Another big name in 10 to Midnight is Geoffrey Lewis as Dante, the lawyer. You’ve seen him alongside Clint Eastwood and Clyde the orangutan in Every Which Way But Loose and Any Which Way You Can, but also in a ton of other movies… I mean, the man has more than 200 credits to his name, for Pete’s sake!
As Leo and Paul’s superior, Captain Malone, I’m sure you’ll recognize the actor Wilford Brimley from movies such as High Road to China, John Carpenter’s The Thing and Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins.
Upon its release here in Sweden, 10 to Midnight was, not surprisingly, trimmed down slightly. The censors made 3 cuts with a total time of 58 seconds, which wasn’t very much considering how they “butchered” other less violent movies in the 80’s. 10 to Midnight is a dark and gritty movie and is actually pretty brutal. It doesn’t shy away from the violence either, so I was kind of surprised that it wasn’t cut more. Not that it’s an overtly gory movie, it’s just the overall tone and feel of it that made me think they’d come down a lot harder on it, you know?
Do NOT mess with my daughter!
As I said before, I like this one! The story itself is pretty straightforward… Two cops go after a deranged killer before he kills again! See? Not complicated at all, but if the movie is entertaining it doesn’t have to be, right?
The cast is good too, but I’ve already mentioned that. You might also recognize the actresses who portray two of Laurie’s friends… One of them is Ola Ray who’s only done a handful of movies and to be fair I only recognized her as Michael Jackson’s date in the music-video for the hit song Thriller.
The other one is listed in the credits as Kelly Palzis, but is now known as John Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston from Mischief and Twins for instance. 10 to Midnight was one of her earliest roles.
If you haven’t seen this one before, I definitely recommend you check it out! At least once! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. There’s just something about the image of a stark naked killer wielding a big and bloodied knife that is scary as hell. Somehow you know he means business!
And that’s the image I’ll leave you with this time. Until next time, my friends…
The comment section below is all yours!
About Peter Nielsen
Peter was born in Denmark in 1968, but moved to Sweden at the age of six, (not by himself of course), and has lived there ever since. He’s married and has five children, so spare time is somewhat of a luxury. His main interests in life, apart from his family, are long walks, books and movies. Any movie! He has preferences, but he’s not particular as long as it's good or... so bad it's good... he just LOVES MOVIES!
Tags:10 to Midnight 80's thrillers Charles Bronson Lisa Eilbacher naked killer Psycho Slasher
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Arts Council Welcomes New Marketing Director
The Arts Council is pleased to welcome a new member of our team, Marketing Director Sarah Smallwood. She is returning to the Arts Council, where she served a one-year term as an Americorps member and Marketing Coordinator in 2012-13. She begins work at the Arts Council on August 24, 2016.
Sarah comes to the Arts Council from the Orpheum Theater, where she served as Marketing Director and Co-General Manager for the past three years. Sarah graduated from Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire with a BFA in Graphic Design. During her previous tenure with the Arts Council, she developed the branding for Arts & Economic Prosperity IV, the economic impact study of the non-profit arts and sciences that was published in summer 2012.
“Sarah is a phenomenal talent,” said John Tannous, Executive Director. “She has a keen eye for art and design, and will help us raise the bar here at the Arts Council. I believe she is poised to accomplish great things in the arts sector.”
Smallwood joins a veteran staff with a great deal of experience and expertise in the arts. In addition to Tannous’s ten years at the Arts Council and twenty years in the arts, Deputy Director Elizabeth Vogler has a decade of experience in the arts and culture industry, working at both the Arts Council and the Arboretum at Flagstaff. Artistic Director Travis Iurato brings a bi-coastal arts perspective, Kris Kosola has been leading theatrical productions for many years, and both Mario Samano and Margaret Langworthy have been with the Arts Council for many years.
left to right: Economic Impact Study Intern Emily Melhorn, Riley Johnson, Graphic Design intern Kathryn Fike, Deputy Director Elizabeth Vogler, Marketing Director Sarah Smallwood, Marketing intern Kitt Mattison, former Marketing Director Malena Grosz
John Tannous2019-01-01T05:36:45-07:00August 25th, 2016|News|
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St Alban, Wood Street: an old library book and a lonely church tower
19th Century · 20th Century · City of London
July 3, 2015 February 5, 2019 Caroline
I recently bought a copy of Mrs Basil Holmes’ 1896 book The London Burial Grounds. Isabella Holmes was a remarkable woman who took it upon herself to explore what had happened to the many burial grounds in inner London that had been closed in the 1850s. Her book records her findings, something which you can imagine will be a really useful resource for me when researching London’s old and forgotten burial grounds. However, what I wasn’t expecting was that the book itself would tell more stories than simply the ones contained within its pages.
The edition I bought was a first edition from 1896, with a worn spine and a few scuffs on the cover, but otherwise in pretty good nick for a book that’s over a century old. A note inside the front cover reads “J.W. Hales, December 25th, 1896” – someone received this book, when it was brand new, as a Christmas gift. Whoever J.W. Hales was, I suspect we would have something in common if they were the type of person who received a book about old burial grounds for Christmas!
On the facing page is an “Ex libris” note. I’ve come across these in second-hand books before – many academic texts that I’ve picked up second-hand have been ex libris copies from university libraries. But this book had spent some of its life in a library that doesn’t exist at all any more – the library at the church of St Alban, Wood Street, in the City of London.
The church of St Alban, Wood Street, is believed to have its origins in the Saxon period. Offa, King of Mercia, a powerful ruler who dominated most of what is now the Midlands and south of England in the 8th Century, is said to have built a palace on the site, which included a chapel. Offa also founded St Alban’s Abbey in the city that now bears the name of that saint, Britain’s first Christian martyr who was killed in the 3rd Century. St Alban, Wood Street, was a possession of St Alban’s Abbey until the 11th Century. The church is said to have been partly built with Roman stones – probably stones robbed out of the nearby city walls or other ruined buildings in the area. This practice was very common in areas where Roman remains were situated.
In his 1598 Survey of London, John Stow describes a number of memorials that could be found in the old church. These included memorials to two 15th Century Mayors, Thomas Chatworth and John Woodcocke; a Baron of the Exchequer, Sir Richard Illingworth; and a number of members of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, whose Hall was in nearby Ironmonger Lane. John Cheke, the former schoolmaster of King Edward VI, was also buried at St Alban’s – according to John Strype, he was “broke with grief” when he died in 1557.
The medieval church was in a very poor state of repair by the early 17th Century (Strype describes it as being “wonderfully decayed and perished”), and the church was rebuilt to a design by Inigo Jones in 1634. This church, like so many others, was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in the Gothic style, apparently influenced by the previous church on the site. The nearby church of St Olave, Silver Street, was not rebuilt after the Great Fire and its parish was merged with that of St Alban, as was that of St Michael, Wood Street, after its demolition in 1897.
Exterior of St Alban, Wood Street – image from The Churches of London by George Godwin, 1839 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Opposite the pulpit in the rebuilt church was an hourglass, “by which the preacher could measure his sermon and test his listeners’ patience.”
The church tower was completed in 1685, and the building was restored by the eminent Gothic Revival architect George Gilbert Scott in the 1850s, who added the semicircular apse seen in the image below. The pinnacles on the tower were added in the late 19th Century. And so it might still appear today, were it not for the Blitz.
Drawing of St Alban, Wood Street, in 1941, by war artist Dennis Flanders. Courtesy of Imperial War Museum © IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 5944)
Air raids by the Luftwaffe caused huge amounts of damage to the City of London during the Second World War. The image above shows St Alban’s looking more or less undamaged amid a scene of destruction, but the church was not so lucky in a later raid.
On 29th December 1940, a night where so much destruction was wrought that it became known as “the Second Great Fire of London”, St Alban’s was hit by a bomb and the nave and apse were gutted. Eighteen other churches were destroyed that night, as well as a large number of livery halls. The firestorm caused by the bombings also nearly claimed St Paul’s Cathedral, but the iconic building was saved by the brave actions of firefighters.
The ruins of St Alban, Wood Street, and surrounding buildings after the Second World War (source)
After the war, St Alban, Wood Street was one of the churches that was not rebuilt. Demolition of the damaged nave took place in 1955, but the tower – which had survived with remarkably little damage sustained – was kept standing. Today it is marooned on a little traffic island in the middle of the section of Wood Street that runs between Gresham Street and London Wall, an incongruous spot of history amid the tall, forgettable modern buildings that have sprung up around it since the war.
The tower is now a Grade II* listed building, and was converted into a private residence – although these days it is used as office and storage space.
My copy of The London Burial Grounds clearly had a lucky escape. Sadly, the little Ex Libris note at the front of the book doesn’t tell us when the book was deemed surplus to requirements at the library at St Alban’s, so it’s not possible to determine quite how narrowly the book escaped the fires of the Blitz. Having this wonderful old book in my possession makes me feel as though I have a little bit of the history of St Alban, Wood Street on my shelf at home.
London Graveyards and the Wonderful Mrs Basil Holmes, A Parcel of Ribbons, 4th August 2012 http://aparcelofribbons.co.uk/tag/mrs-basil-holmes/
John Stow – Cripplegate warde, in A Survey of London, 1603 (source)
John Strype – A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster, 1720 (source)
John Strype – Ecclesiastical memorials; relating cheifly to religion, and the reformation, 1721 (source)
Walter Thornbury – Cheapside: Northern tributaries; Wood Street, in Old and New London: Volume 1, 1878 (source)
St Alban’s, Wood Street, and its former sculptural interest http://www.speel.me.uk/chlondon/stalbanswoodst.htm
St Alban’s Tower – London Gardens Online http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.asp?ID=COL054
Published by Caroline
View all posts by Caroline
books churches isabella holmes london st alban wood street the blitz
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14 thoughts on “St Alban, Wood Street: an old library book and a lonely church tower”
A fascinating article and the book is a wonderful find, coming from the library of St Alban is a real connection and it would be interesting to know when and how the book left the library. As you state the whole area was really devastated by bombing.
I believe the tower is now used by the offices of a corporate finance company rather than a private residence. Would be really interesting to see inside.
It was a lovely surprise to find that the book has links with St Alban – I’ve always loved how old books have “stories” of their own and it’s been great to get a glimpse into the history of this particular copy.
I’d love to see inside the tower, though it sounds as though it may just be used for storage these days.
Eccentric Parabola (@eccentricparab) says:
Makes you wonder. Perhaps someone borrowed the book, but after the air raid perhaps there was no library to return it to? … Interesting how sometimes it’s the fragile things – such as books, rather than stone buildings – which somehow manage to survive.
You’re right, it’s amazing the things that survive over the years!
nickgadd says:
Very interesting piece Caroline and I love the pictures of the church at different eras that you have found. The final picture is quite symbolic, I think, the church tower completely dwarfed by financial towers. I wonder if the book came from the personal library of Peter Stickley, parish clerk, rather than a church library as such. I’m intrigued by the design of the bookplate which seems to show a child pulling a cross out of its own head and, if my school Latin is right, the motto means’ the cross of Christ is my light’. Thanks for this story.
I’ve always liked the contrast between the church tower and the huge glass towers that surround it. The City is a great place for those contrasts between ancient and modern.
I’ve been trying to find out who Peter Stickley was (other than being the parish clerk at St Alban) but have had no luck so far!
Roy Reed says:
The tower was used in the late 1980s as the marketing suite for 125 London Wall (also known as Alban Gate) Sir Terry Farrell’s love it or loathe it post-modern extravaganza, which is immediately to the north. If I remember correctly, the 1st floor was the kitchen, the 2nd floor held an audio-visual presentation, the 3rd was a dining room and the top floor was the room where deals were to be signed. There was access to the roof to view the construction site.
Unfortunately my photos of the interior and from the roof were lost some years ago.
The church tower must have made for a very unusual marketing suite! Seems appropriate enough, though, if it was overlooking the site that was being developed.
dgbdgb says:
Great post. And one of my favourite books where she comes over as an investigator worthy of sharing Sherlock’s surname. But I suspect that the book was in the Parish Clerk’s private library rather than in the parish library. The Parish Clerk of St Albans probably still exists. Most City of London churches still elect Paris Clerks for churches that no longer exist in their own right but which are looked after by an existing parish church. In the case of St Albans it is St Vedast Foster Lane which shows a Church Warden for St Albans who is I think is likely to be the current Parish Clerk. Dave
I’ve been trying to find out who Peter Stickley was, but so far I’ve not even been able to discover when he was the parish clerk for St Albans! I’m sure there must be some mention of him in an archive somewhere, but all the same it’s nice to know the name of someone who owned the book in the past.
Stephanie Manser says:
Thank you for the wonderful post.
Lucky you! I downloaded this book two years ago because I could not find an affordable copy, or even an available one. I became slightly obsessed with Mrs Holmes and tried to find what happened to her, and where she was buried. I contacted several bloggers, but no one knows her burial place. I suspect she was cremated, because that is what she wanted. I did find out she lived until the 1940s and died in Winchelsea. I am so happy to see this post and read your site often. LUCKY YOU!
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Tag: thriller
Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
July 31, 2020 FictionFan56 Comments
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
It is Wednesday, 2nd October, 1872, and as he does every day, Mr Phileas Fogg is playing whist with his friends in the Reform Club. But this day the conversation turns to how the world is shrinking as more and more places become linked by fast steamships or railroads. Fogg claims that it is now possible to go around the world in eighty days. His companions pooh-pooh this notion, and Fogg offers to prove his point by making the journey. A wager is hastily arranged for the massive sum of £20,000 – half Fogg’s entire fortune. He intends to use the other half to cover any unforeseen expenses on his travels. And within hours he’s off, accompanied only by his French manservant, Passepartout, whom he had hired just that morning. But, unbeknownst to them, they are being followed…
I started my Around the World in 80 Books Challenge back in March 2016, so it has taken me considerably longer to make the trip than Phileas Fogg allowed himself! When I got close to the end I realised this was the only possible book I could choose to bring me back to London where my journey started all those years ago. And a perfect choice it proved to be! Not only is it a great book in its own right, but it also took me to all the places I’ve read about in the books I picked for my challenge. So when we got to Bombay I thought of playing cricket; when Fogg and his companions travelled by elephant I remembered Solomon’s journey; when they reached Omaha I thought of the World Fair. Anyway, I shall do a proper round-up of the challenge soon, but meantime, back to this book!
Fogg is a man of rigid habits and an obsessive concern with punctuality and exactness in all things. The narrator suggests his background is rather unknown, but that he must have travelled in the past to give him his fairly encyclopaedic knowledge of the world. He is unflappable to an extraordinary degree given that his entire fortune is in the balance, but we eventually see that he has hidden depths. Passepartout, in contrast, is volatile and constantly getting into scrapes, but on the other hand he soon develops strong feelings of loyalty to his master and shows true bravery on more than one occasion. Then there is Detective Fix, trailing Fogg whom he suspects of having robbed Baring Brothers bank on the day he left London so suddenly. Fix spends half the time trying to slow them down and the other half trying to speed them up since he can only arrest Fogg on British soil – and the book reminds us that British soil spreads fairly extensively across the world at this period. The fourth character is an Indian woman they pick up along the way, but I won’t say more about her because to tell her story would be a bit too spoilery.
The book starts a little slow, with a lot of concentration on timetables and dates and so on, and Fogg is not initially a very endearing character. He is interested only in achieving his aim of proving that the journey can be done in the time – he has no interest in the places to which they travel other than how quickly he can get out of them again on the next leg of the trip. Europe gets barely a mention, Egypt is a passing blur, and it’s only really when they reach India that they begin to have adventures. But by that time, Passepartout and Fix have developed into entertaining characters, sometimes friendly, sometimes not, and they give the story the life and liveliness that Fogg’s cold mechanical persona lacks. It’s in India too, though, that for the first time we see signs of humanity beneath that British stiffness, and from there on gradually Fogg also becomes someone we care about.
From India to Hong Kong, to Yokohama, across America – sometimes ahead of the clock, sometimes behind. One adventure after another holds them back, each time throwing Passepartout into gloom and desperation but leaving Fogg unruffled and determined. And each adventure is more fun than the one before – storms and Sioux warriors, acrobats and opium dens, trains and steamships, polygamists and Parsees, and oodles of luck both good and bad. Will they make it back in time? Even though I knew the answer, I must admit I found the last fifty pages or so pretty heart-pounding, and joined Passepartout on his emotional roller-coaster ride between despair and euphoria. And the end is brilliantly done, misdirection and twists abounding!
The new translation by William Butcher in my Oxford World’s Classics edition is excellent – flowing and fun. His rather scholarly introduction left me somewhat befuddled, in truth. As always, I read the book first, and imagine my surprise on being told that it’s full of sexual innuendo and “brazen homosexual overtures” between the three male characters. I missed all of that! Even though he’s now told me it’s there, nope, I don’t see it. Maybe he’s right – in fact, since he’s a Verne expert and I’m not, I’m willing to assume he is right – but then, on the other hand… sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Butcher goes so far as to say “the book is not designed for callow adolescents”. Hmm, I was probably a callow adolescent when I first read it, and I don’t think it corrupted my innocence! I did enjoy Butcher saying that Verne had portrayed the Mormons as an “erotico-religious group” though – I missed that too…
So an excellent adventure story suitable for all ages, or a walk on the wild side of sexual psychology, depending on whether you believe me or Butcher. Either way, highly entertaining – great stuff!
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Oxford World’s Classics.
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The African Queen by CS Forester
Love among the leeches…
😀 😀 😀 🙂
It is 1914. When the Germans round up all the native inhabitants of the Reverend Samuel Sayer’s mission in Central Africa to take them off to fight in the war, the Reverend quickly succumbs to fever and dies, leaving his faithful sister all alone. Until along comes Charles Allnut, a Cockney mechanic who had been out on the river collecting supplies when the Germans came, and returned to find all the people at the mine where he worked gone too. He realises he can’t leave Rose here, so takes her with him aboard the little steam boat, the African Queen, planning to find somewhere safe to hole up till the war is over, at least in this part of the world. Rose, however, has a different idea. She wants revenge on the Germans for destroying her brother’s life work, and quickly convinces herself that they should take the African Queen down river to Lake Wittelsbach, there to destroy the German gunboat that patrols the lake. It takes her a little longer to convince Allnut…
This, of course, is the book on which the Hepburn/Bogart film was based, and since that’s always been a favourite I knew the story well, and was interested to see how closely the movie had stuck to the original. The answer is that it does to a very large degree with one or two minor changes in characterisation, and then a huge divergence in plot at the end that makes the film into an adventure classic and leaves the book floundering as a rather anti-climactic disappointment.
Book 65 of 90
In the book, Allnut is a Cockney Londoner rather than an American. While I feel it would have been highly entertaining to see Bogie attempting to do a Cockney accent, I can understand why the star factor led to the movie character being portrayed as American. It doesn’t make much difference, except of course to change the patriotism emphasis from one of Brits fighting the Germans to the usual Hollywood hoopla of Americans saving the world. Rose is very much as Hepburn played her except that the woman in the book is a decade or so younger. So although she is still the “spinster sister” of the missionary, she is young enough to make her transformation into an active adventurer and passionate lover slightly more believable. She is, of course, actually English too, unlike Ms Hepburn!
The main strength of the book is in the descriptions of the African riverscape. Forester gives a real feeling for the abominable heat and how badly this affects the pale-skinned Brits, however used to it they may be. The sudden rains, the insects, the leeches lurking in the water, the reeds that choke some parts of the river and the rapids that make other parts a terrifying thrill ride – all of these are done brilliantly and feel completely authentic (at least, to this reader who has never been even close to Africa).
The characterisation is considerably weaker, unfortunately, although they are both likeable enough to keep the book entertaining. Allnut is a weak, rather cowardly man but with lots of practical skills and knowledge, while Rose has courage enough for two and the ability to learn quickly, so they complement each other well. Do people change as rapidly as these two do, even in extreme circumstances? Hmm, perhaps, but I wasn’t entirely convinced. Under the leadership of a strong woman, Allnut suddenly discovers a courage even he didn’t think he possessed, whereas Rose quickly throws off a lifetime of repression and strict religious beliefs to become the lover of this rather underwhelming man. I didn’t altogether believe it, but I still enjoyed the journey in their company.
CS Forester
At least, I enjoyed it up until the last ten per cent or so, when suddenly all the tension is destroyed by an ending that leaves our two main characters on the sidelines while the regular armed forces of Britain and German take over. No wonder the plot was changed for the film! I can’t imagine what Forester was thinking, really. Perhaps he thought that the idea of two people tackling a German gunboat on their own was just too unbelievable and in real life that might be true. But this isn’t real life – it’s an adventure novel and needs a dramatic end led by our two unlikely heroes! Let them succeed thrillingly or fail tragically, but don’t just stick them to one side and let other people take over! Pah! I was left infuriated and let down by the way it all fizzled out.
So overall, good fun for most of the journey but with a sadly disappointing ending. I enjoyed it, but I’m not sure that I’d really recommend it except to diehard fans of colonial adventure novels (which, by the way, reminds me that I haven’t mentioned that some of the language about the “natives” is toe-curlingly dated). One of those cases where I feel the film is better…
Sword by Bogdan Teodorescu
The politics of crime…
When a petty criminal is brutally killed, at first no one pays too much attention. But it quickly turns out he was only the first victim – soon there have been several murders, all carried out the same way: a method which earns the killer the nickname Sword. All the victims have two things in common. They are all criminals, and they are all members of the Roma, a minority ethnic group in Romania. Soon the matter becomes political as long-unresolved racial tensions rise to the surface, leading to outbreaks of violence. This is the story of a new, fragile democracy and of the men who are trying to make it work, or to undermine it…
This is the first book translated by Marina Sofia, long-time blogging buddy and now one of the co-founders of a new venture into translated crime fiction – Corylus books. The translation is excellent, as I expected, knowing Marina Sofia’s skill with words and expertise in about a million languages! Romanian is her mother tongue and English is the language she currently uses in her life, work and writing, so she really is the perfect translator for the book. There’s no clunkiness, and either she or the author, or both, know when an international audience might need a little bit of extra guidance to understand something that may be obvious to Romanians. This meant that, although the story is quite complex, I never felt lost.
The book is a very original take on a crime novel, looking deeply into the politics of racially motivated crime and how it impacts on an already divided society. The first chapter shows us the first murder in fairly graphic detail and it seems as if it’s going to be the start of a more or less standard crime fiction. But almost immediately we are taken, not to the police investigation, but to the corridors of power, where a Presidential election is only a few months away and all the top politicians are jostling for position. Some of the characters are named, but others are simply known by their titles – the President, the Minister of the Interior, and so on. There’s a cast of thousands (slight exaggeration, perhaps) and a handy cast list at the end, although I quickly found I didn’t need it, because in a sense who the characters are doesn’t matter – it’s their role in the politics of the country that matters. By about halfway through some of them had developed distinctive personalities, but others were simply “journalists”, “Presidential advisers”, “political commentators”, etc.
You hate the sound of this now, don’t you? But honestly, it works! It’s not really about the people, or even the crimes – it’s a political thriller about how politicians in a corrupt society manoeuvre, how they manipulate the media and how in turn the media manipulates them. It’s about Romania trying to juggle the demands of all the demanding new European and American partners they have to deal with now they’ve left the Soviet sphere of influence. And it’s a coldly cynical look at how politicians might ruthlessly inflame the divisions in society to boost their own electoral chances.
The Roma are seen as a kind of underclass, marginalised and discriminated against by a society that has written them off as criminals. They are the target of the Romanian version of white supremacists, but even the mainstream parties would rather they just stayed silent and invisible or better yet, left Romania altogether. As more victims turn up, tensions between the Roma and the Romanians grow, eventually leading to a series of violent confrontations, each more serious than the last. For those in power, a difficult balance must be struck – plenty of Romanians see the Sword as some kind of avenging angel, while the equally unscrupulous political leaders of the Roma see it as a way to lever some recognition for themselves. For those who want to be in power, it’s an opportunity – how can they best use it to bring the government to its knees?
Bogdan Teodorescu
I suspect you’d have to be interested in the skulduggery of politics to enjoy this one, although it’s certainly not necessary to understand Romanian politics specifically. The thing that most stood out to me, in fact, was that no matter the country, the corruption and the character of those who seek political power are depressingly similar. It’s so well done – too believable to be comfortable. Seeing how the actions of one man can cause a chain reaction that escalates to a point where society itself is fracturing and in danger of imploding is frighteningly relevant, especially when the basis of the story is about the marginalisation and repression of an ethnic group – something we’re all struggling with in the West at the moment. I love political shenanigans, so I loved the book, and learned a lot about Romania’s recent history as a bonus. Great stuff – highly recommended!
Brighton Rock by Graham Greene
June 17, 2020 FictionFan67 Comments
Study of a psychopath…
Kolley Kibber has come to Brighton on a publicity campaign for his newspaper. He will walk the streets and any lucky reader who spots and challenges him will be given a cash prize. But on this day, Kolley Kibber – real name Charles “Fred” Hale – is scared. He knows that a Brighton gang he has written about is after him, intent on killing him. He feels he’ll be safer if he’s not alone, so tries to pick up one of the female day-trippers down from London to enjoy the beach and the bars and the sunshine. Ida Arnold is a kind-hearted good-time girl, who takes pity on this lonely stranger. But she leaves him for a few minutes to visit the public toilets and when she returns he’s gone. Later she hears that he has died, and doesn’t accept the report that his death was natural. She sets out to investigate. Meantime, Pinkie Brown, leader of the gang, is worried that one of his men may have done something that will give them all away just when it seems they have got off with murder. As his paranoia increases, he becomes caught in his own trap, every action he takes to avert the danger seeming to diminish his options more and more.
I loved Graham Greene with a passion back in my teens and twenties, but on a couple of recent revisits I’ve been a little disappointed. This is one I’d never read before and I’m delighted to say the old magic returned in full force as soon as it began. The first chapter is a masterclass in writing, creating fully-rounded and empathetic characters in Kolley Kibber and Ida Arnold, portraying wonderfully this seedy, poverty-ridden seaside town in the 1930s, and building a terrific atmosphere of tension and suspense. Although Kolley Kibber only appears for this short space of time, his disappearance and death hang over the rest of the book, so that his character becomes as unforgettable as those who are present throughout the whole book.
Ida is also an exceptionally well-drawn character, the beating heart of the book, with her warmth and joy in the act of living giving it the humanity it needs to relieve the otherwise pitch-black noir of the story. Later we will meet Rose, a young girl whose background is of such deprivation, both materially and emotionally, that she is easily persuaded to fancy herself in love with any boy who shows her attention, easy prey for Pinkie who comes to see her as a threat.
Richard Attenborough as Pinkie and Carol Marsh as Rose in the 1947 film of the book
But the star of the show is undoubtedly Pinkie, the boy gangster who too readily sees murder as the solution to all problems. This has to be one of the best character studies of a psychopath ever written. Greene gradually shows us what has brought Pinkie to this point – his unhappy childhood, the poverty and lack of opportunity for boys like him in the grim Depression-era world, the guilt and punishment inherent in his Catholic religion. Pinkie believes in Hell but can’t quite bring himself to believe in Heaven, at least not for the likes of him. His disgust at the idea of sex raises all sorts of psychological questions – is it because he lived in a house so small that as a child he could hear his parents performing their weekly conjugal rites? Or is he a closeted gay, closeted so deep he’s unaware of it himself? Or is he simply scared to show any kind of vulnerability, to perhaps fail at the crucial moment? Greene raises all sorts of questions about what may have made Pinkie who he is, but wisely leaves open the possibility that it’s simply a matter of nature. And yet, rotten though he is, Greene gives him a terrible humanity of his own – a lost and damaged soul for whom it’s impossible not to feel sympathy, to wonder whether if circumstances had been different he might have been saved, by man or his implacable God.
The suspense in the story comes from two angles. Will Ida succeed in learning the truth and getting some kind of justice for the man she briefly met and scarcely knew? And Rose – what will happen to Rose? All she wants is to be loved – is that too much to ask? But loving a boy who dislikes and fears her and who has already killed more than once – what will happen to Rose? As Pinkie fingers the bottle of vitriol he always carries in his pocket – what will happen to Rose? The tension of worrying about Rose becomes almost too much to bear.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Samuel West, and he does a wonderful job. Every word is clearly enunciated and while he doesn’t “act” the characters, he breathes life into their varied personalities. He lets the words speak for themselves, never letting his performance get in the way of the writing.
Beautifully written and with a quartet of distinctively unforgettable characters, this has leapt into the lead as my favourite Greene – high praise indeed from a lifetime fan of his work. While it’s one of his “Catholic” novels, the religious aspects avoid the silly mysticism of The End of the Affair, reminding me more of the faith struggles of the priest and Scobie in The Power and the Glory and The Heart of the Matter respectively. And they play only a small part in what is first and foremost a brilliant noir depiction of a psychopath in a superbly evoked time and place. A fabulous book which gets my highest recommendation!
Audible UK Link
Audible US Link
The Never Game (Colter Shaw 1) by Jeffery Deaver
74% successful…
😀 😀 😀 😀
Sophie Mulliner is missing and her frantic father has offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who can find her. Enter Colter Shaw, professional “rewardist” – a man who uses the tracking skills instilled in him in childhood by his survivalist father to hunt for missing people for the reward money. The case soon becomes more complicated when another person goes missing, then another. Colter, teaming up with local police detective LaDonna Standish, must try to find each victim while they’re still alive, while also attempting to work out who is behind it all and what they’re trying to achieve. Soon the investigation will take them deep into the gaming industry in Silicon Valley, full of eccentric designers and cut-throat competition, and the whole weirdness of people who spend more time in virtual worlds than the real one.
As well as the main plot, this first in a new series fills us in on Colter’s unusual upbringing and the mystery that still hangs over him from back then, which is clearly going to become a running story arc over future books. Colter’s father bought a huge wilderness property and called it the Compound, on which he brought up his three children to be able to survive anything nature or mankind could throw at them. Although Colter then went on to college and is perfectly comfortable in the outside world, his childhood has left him unwilling to settle in a routine job and too self-sufficient to work for someone else, so he travels around the country in his Winnebago, sometimes for pleasure, sometimes chasing down a missing person for the reward money. But he’s not a traditional loner – he has friends and people he works with professionally, and still regularly goes back to the Compound to visit his mother. His father taught him to make decisions based on probabilities, so when making any decisions he runs through the various options allocating each a percentage rating of success. These percentages appeared to me to be entirely arbitrary and so became increasingly pointless and annoying as the book went on. I do hope Deaver drops that in future books because otherwise Colter has all the makings of an excellent series protagonist.
It took me a while to get into this and it never really turned into a heart-pounding thriller for me, but I liked Colter and loved LaDonna (who unfortunately probably won’t appear in future books, since Colter doesn’t stay in the same place for long), and I found the background story about the world of gaming interesting (though I suspect it may drive real gamers crazy since Deaver explains everything at a really basic level for the novice). It is too long at 450 pages, and the divide between the actual plot and Colter’s back story slows the pace too much, especially in the early section. The plot has lots of interesting twists and turns, though these aren’t always executed as smoothly as I’d expect from an author with Deaver’s long experience. However, the writing is excellent for the style of the book – that is, it’s plainly and clearly written, third person, past tense, with a nice balance between characterisation and action, and I gradually found myself absorbed in it. I must admit I actually found the mystery relating to Colter’s past rather more interesting than the main plot in the end, and it would be it that would tempt me to read the next book.
So overall, a good start to what has the potential to be a great series – I’d say there’s about an 81% chance of that. I look forward to finding out.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, HarperCollins.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
April 20, 2020 FictionFan53 Comments
Wedding from hell…
When domineering and narcissistic Jules is getting married to handsome and charming TV celebrity Will, she wants her wedding to be glamorous and unique, so she books The Folly, a newly refurbished old house situated on a small, isolated island off the coast of Ireland. But when the guests begin to arrive, we soon learn that many have secrets, and long-hidden tensions and resentments will soon come to the surface as the drink starts to flow…
The blurb of this and many reviews are comparing it to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, so I’ll start by saying it’s not comparable, either in plot or storytelling. This isn’t a deranged seeker after justice gathering together a group of potential victims – rather it’s a group of victims, one of whom will take revenge against another. The mystery is all in which of the damaged and bitter people will be the one to break and who will they kill? And, of course, in order to create “tension”, the author keeps all their past secrets hidden until near the end, merely hinting dramatically at them throughout.
The trend of “that day” novels surely must be approaching its end now. It feels increasingly tired with every new “thriller” that comes along. In this one, nearly every character has a “that day” incident in their past, reminding me of why wedding receptions should never be held in remote places where there’s no easy escape route for the few sane, sober guests. Not, I hasten to add, that there are any sane, sober guests at this wedding. From Aoife, the wedding planner who hints regularly at some tragic incident that has resulted in a well tended grave in the grounds of The Folly; to Jules’ half-sister, Olivia, having dropped out of university over some shattering experience involving an unspecified man; to Helen, married to Jules’ oldest friend Charlie and suspicious of their relationship; to Johnno, the best man, and the ushers – all school friends of Will and all constantly hinting at a terrible incident that happened back in their schooldays; every single guest is portentously weighted with emotional damage.
It sounds as if I hated this and I didn’t, really. As what it is, it’s reasonably good – it’s simply that there have been so many of these identikit thrillers that I don’t see much point in them unless they’re real stand-outs, and for me this wasn’t. It relies hopelessly on piling up coincidence after coincidence until it loses any pretence at credibility, and frankly becomes a bit laughable. However, it’s well written, and, while I couldn’t really believe that anyone would build a wedding venue on an island that gets cut off in storms and is full of deadly bogs, quicksands and underground caves, Foley does use this unlikely setting well to develop an atmosphere of menace. Initially her characterisation is quite good too – she ranges through multiple narrators (of course) and their voices aren’t always distinct from one another, meaning that the chapter headings telling the reader who’s speaking are essential, but each has an interesting story to tell, even if they tell them at glacial speed. Gradually, as their stories are revealed, it all becomes overly dramatic and the characterisation dips a bit, but despite it being grossly overpadded as is standard with current crime fiction, it mostly held my attention and kept me turning the pages. I may have suspected the dénouement would be, as it was, unconvincing, but I still wanted to know how it all turned out.
So, not really my kind of thing but I enjoyed it enough to make the time spent on it worthwhile, and I’m sure it will work better for the many avid fans of this type of thriller, who I hope will not be deterred by my lukewarm, subjective review.
The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope
March 25, 2020 FictionFan53 Comments
Buckle your swash…
Owing to the indiscretion of an ancestor, the Rassendyll family shares heredity with the ruling family of the small Germanic nation of Ruritania. Every now and then a Rassendyll is born with the red hair and long nose common to the Ruritarian Kings. Rudolf is one of these red-haired Rassendylls and, being a young man with a plentiful inheritance and time on his hands, he decides he will visit Ruritania to witness the coronation of the new young King, another Rudolf. When he gets there he discovers that everyone is startled by his appearance – he doesn’t simply resemble the King, they are almost identical. So when King Rudolf is incapacitated before his coronation, our Rudolf steps in to take his place in order to prevent the King’s jealous half-brother, Black Michael (so called because he hasn’t inherited the red hair), from carrying out a coup and stealing not just the throne but the beautiful Princess Flavia, destined to be the wife of the King. But when the King is then kidnapped, suddenly Rudolf finds the impersonation will have to go on until the King is free…
Short novel or long novella, this is a swashbuckling adventure full of drama, sword fights, high romance and chivalric honour. And it’s great fun! Rudolf tells us the story himself, and it reminded me very much in style of John Carter in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom books, where the first person narrator self-deprecatingly repeats the many compliments bestowed upon him by everyone he meets, so that we know he’s wonderful in every way without him having to tell us so directly. A great swordsman, a flawless linguist, a natural leader of men, and an irresistible wooer of women, Rudolf is also a man who puts honour above his own desires, even when faced by overwhelming temptation. But he lets us see his internal struggle to do the right thing, which stops him from becoming insufferable. The King is a weak drunkard and Black Michael is a hissable villain, so that the reader can only agree with the growing number of Ruritarians who begin to think that the impostor is an improvement over the real royals.
Ronald Colman as Rudolf and Raymond J Massey as Black Michael in the 1937 film.
Although Black Michael is the chief baddie in terms of the plot, it’s his henchman Rupert of Hentzau who becomes Rudolf’s main adversary. Rupert shares most of Rudolf’s manly attributes, but turns them to wickedness rather than good. So where Rudolf is not above stealing a kiss from an innkeeper’s daughter, Rupert is more likely to kidnap the girl and “ruin” her – such a useful euphemism! And while Rudolf will do the right thing even if it hurts him, Rupert will cheerfully sell his loyalty to the highest bidder. They are a little like Jekyll and Hyde – two extremes of the same personality, one good, one evil. And Rudolf recognises this himself – although he finds Rupert morally reprehensible, he still admires his spirit and bravado, and finds his outrageous behaviour amusing.
The introduction in my Oxford World’s Classics edition is by Nicholas Daly, Professor of Modern English and American Literature at University College Dublin. He tells us about the impact and legacy of the book, which spawned so many imitations they became a sub-genre all on their own, of “Ruritarian romances”. There were successful stage adaptations in both London and New York, and several film versions, and Daly gives many examples of later books and films that were inspired by it. Ruritania itself, although imaginary, has taken on a life apart from the book. Wikipedia gives a list of instances when it has been used in order not to offend real nations: for example, “Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer cited Ruritania as a fictional enemy when illustrating a security treaty between Australia and Indonesia”. Isaac Asimov apparently also used it if he wanted to tell a joke that was based on ethnic stereotyping, substituting it for the nation or people in the original joke.
Anthony Hope
The plot is very well done. It’s quite simple – how to free the King and restore order – but Hope uses the impersonation aspect to tie all three participants up in a tangle where each is prevented from taking the easy option without destroying his own plan. And he skilfully puts the reader in the position of not being sure what the best outcome would be. This gives it the suspense that keeps those pages turning – it’s hard to put down so it’s fortunate that it’s short enough to be read in an evening.
A thoroughly entertaining read, perfect for the next time you feel the need to buckle your swash! Or should that be swash your buckle…? Either way, recommended!
Amazon US Link – This edition isn’t out yet in the US but can be pre-ordered here
The Guesthouse by Abbie Frost
Variation on a theme…
Following the death of her boyfriend, Hannah’s life is spiralling out of control. She’s behaving recklessly and drinking too much, and her friends and family are getting very tired of her. So when she receives a reminder about a booking she and her boyfriend had made to stay for a few nights in a guest-house in Ireland, she decides to go. But as soon as she arrives spooky things begins to happen, while bad weather and storms means she and her fellow guests find themselves cut off from the outside world. And then the deaths begin…
There seems to be a little trend of books at the moment taking the premise of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None – a group of people carefully collected together in an isolated spot by someone with a grievance who then sets about bumping them off one by one. It’s certainly an excellent set-up and the trick is to do something original within the overall structure so that it doesn’t just seem like a copy of the great original. Frost’s basic story isn’t particularly original – after all these years of psychological thrillers it would be hard to find an angle that no one else had used – but she handles it well and uses the general spookiness of the house to good effect to create an atmosphere of enjoyable tension.
I must admit I groaned a bit at the beginning. A few years ago I got so fed up with the identikit misery-fest thriller sub-genre that I wrote a joking pastiche of it, involving a hungover alcoholic woman whose family and friends all hated her and whose life was a mess because of something unspecified that happened “that day” in the past. The first several pages of this book read almost like a pastiche of my pastiche, up to and including the obligatory drunken vomiting scene. Happily, while it continues to tread fairly well-worn ground throughout, Frost writes well (and in past tense – hurrah!), and makes the excellent decision to remove the opportunity for getting drunk from Hannah as soon as she arrives at the guest-house. Once she sobers up, she becomes a much more interesting and enjoyable lead character – a lesson all drunks, fictional or otherwise, could learn from!
Abbie Frost
The underlying story is dark and again perhaps too well-trodden to really surprise, but although I guessed parts of the plot and saw some of the twists coming, it’s done well and, once the rather slow start is out of the way, the pacing picks up so that it becomes a page-turner. The characterisation is a bit patchy – some of the characters are very well done, others less so, but happily I lost my initial antipathy to Hannah herself and gradually found myself on her side.
It’s not one to think too hard about or to analyse too deeply. There are, perhaps, too many bits that require a hefty suspension of disbelief. But the pacing and spookiness make it an entertaining read overall and it all culminates in an exciting and nicely over-the-top thriller ending. Once I got into it I enjoyed it a lot, finding myself reluctant to put it down, which is exactly the effect a good thriller should have.
Westwind by Ian Rankin
March 6, 2020 FictionFan39 Comments
🙂 🙂 😐
When communications with the Zephyr satellite are suddenly cut, the monitoring staff at the Binbrook listening station work frantically to restore it. If it’s down for more than a few minutes, chances are it will be lost for good. Fortunately, it kicks back in after a couple of minutes, as mysteriously as the original breakdown. One of the technicians, Martin Hepton, is puzzled – even more so when a colleague tells him that he has spotted something odd, and then before Hepton gets the chance to ask him what, disappears from the base. At the same time, there is an accident aboard a space shuttle and all the crew are killed except one – a British astronaut, Major Dreyfuss. All this is happening at a time when tensions are high already, due to the imminent pullout of American troops from their bases across Europe. Soon Hepton will find himself in danger, and to save himself will have to work out what’s going on…
This is one Ian Rankin wrote many years ago when he was just starting out. It was first published in 1990 and sank without making much impression. Now there’s a little trend happening of publishers reissuing early books of authors who have gone on to become big names. I’ve recently read a couple of early Peter Mays – one I abandoned and didn’t review, and the other I loved. So there are gems out there – we’ve all read debuts we’ve thought were great and been disappointed when they didn’t break through. Sadly, while this one isn’t terrible, it’s not very good either.
It took me a while to figure out why it wasn’t working. It’s well written as you’d expect from Rankin, and although the characters are clichéd and the technology is seriously outdated, neither of these is unusual in action thrillers. I realised it’s the timing that’s off. In thrillers, there’s always a need to keep the reader in the dark alongside the characters as they battle against the odds to discover what’s going on. But there has to be something to hold the attention while the plot gets a chance to develop – usually the reader getting to know and care about the main character – and that’s where this one is weak. For several chapters, we keep meeting new people, most of whom are so underdeveloped that I found in the later stages I had no recollection of who they were or in what context we’d met them before, and each encounter is equally mysterious, constantly adding to the confusion. It bounces around so much that it was quite a while before I was even sure that Hepton was going to be the hero of the story. By that point my interest level had already flagged.
Hepton of course becomes the target of the baddies who are determined to kill him. This baffled me a bit, since he didn’t know anything and probably wouldn’t even have started looking into it if they hadn’t started chasing him around. A rather incompetent move, I felt, to actually inspire him to become suspicious! That wasn’t their only incompetence, though – I really felt that if their assassins were this bad at killing people, then the world probably wasn’t in too much danger from them.
And I’m afraid that when we finally find out who the baddies are and what they’re up to, I found it not only lacking in credibility but unfortunately all a bit silly. It left me feeling that Rankin was more interested in the action parts of the book than in ensuring there was a solid plot beneath them.
I’ve swithered over how to rate it. I suspect if it hadn’t been Rankin, my expectations would have been lower and therefore I’d have been less disappointed in it. But then if it had been written by someone else, I also think I’d be unlikely to seek out more of the author’s work based on this outing. I’m not convinced that this is a good trend – two disappointments out of three from two of my favourite authors of all time suggests that maybe their forgotten early books should be left to rest in peace. 2½ stars in the end, but I suspect that one of them may simply be because of my affection for Rankin’s later work…
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Orion, via NetGalley.
The Last Day by Andrew Hunter Murray
February 26, 2020 FictionFan38 Comments
When a rogue white dwarf star passes through the solar system, its gravitational pull affects the Earth’s rotation on its axis. Gradually over a period of years it slows, with days and nights lengthening; and then it stops completely, leaving half the earth’s surface in endless burning day and the other half in endless frozen night. Humanity scrabbles to survive and Britain comes out on top, lucky to be in the small habitable zone that surrounds the growing desert in the centre of the sunlit side. But when scientist Edward Thorne, on his deathbed, gives his old pupil Ellen Hopper a cryptic message, she is sucked in to uncovering secrets about how Britain has ensured its survival – secrets the authoritarian government will do anything to keep hidden…
There’s a lot to like about this promising début, so let me get my criticisms out of the way first. The book is drowning under the weight of words, being at least a third too long for its content. Murray describes everything in detail – he does it very well but a lot of it is unnecessary and it slows the pace to a crawl. In order to thrill, thrillers have to maintain a good pace and to speed up towards the climax. This is so self-evident that it always stuns me that editors don’t pick up on it even if writers make the basic mistake of getting too involved in their own descriptions of the settings at the expense of maintaining escalating forward momentum. The scene should be set in, say, the first third to half, and from there on the focus should switch to action. And the climax, when it comes, has to both surprise and be dramatic enough to have made the journey worthwhile. Here, unfortunately, the climax is one of the weakest points of the book, both in execution and in impact.
However, there are plenty of strong points to counterbalance these weaknesses. The writing is of a very high standard, especially the descriptions of the scientific and social effects of the disaster. Not being a scientist, I don’t know how realistic the world in the book is but it is done well enough for me to have bought into the premise. Murray shows how science during the Slow and after the Stop becomes concentrated on immediate survival – developing ways to provide food and power for the people – while less attention is given to research into how the long-term future may turn out. As Ellen, herself a scientist, begins to investigate Thorne’s hints, Murray nicely blurs whether this neglect is because of lack of resources, or because the government specifically doesn’t want researchers happening on things they want to conceal. In a world where the government brutally disposes of anyone who threatens them, it’s difficult for Ellen to trust anyone or to involve anyone else in her search for the truth for fear of the consequences to them, but her brother and her ex-husband both get caught up in her quest, and both are interesting relationships that add an emotional edge to the story.
Andrew Hunter Murray
The characterisation is excellent, not just of Ellen but of all the secondary and even periphery characters. I was so pleased to read a contemporary book starring a strong but not superhuman woman, intelligent and complex, who is not the victim of sexism, racism or any other tediously fashionable ism. The only ism she has to contend against is the authoritarianism of the government – much more interesting to me. Murray handles gender excellently throughout, in fact, having male and female characters act equally as goodies and baddies, be randomly strong or weak regardless of sex, and keeping any romantic elements to an almost imperceptible minimum. He also shows a range of responses to the authoritarianism, from those who think it’s essential in the circumstances, to those who dislike it but remain passive, to those who actively or covertly resist it; and he makes each rise equally convincingly from the personality of the character.
So overall a very strong début with much to recommend it – if Murray learns, as I’m sure he will, that there comes a point when it’s necessary to stop describing everything and let the action take over then he has the potential to become a very fine thriller writer indeed. I look forward to reading more from him.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Random House Cornerstone.
The Mystery of Cloomber by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
January 27, 2020 FictionFan25 Comments
Those mysterious Orientals…
When a new neighbour moves into the long vacant Cloomber Hall, our narrator John Hunter West and his father and sister are keen to make their acquaintance, since their estate in Wigtownshire, in Scotland’s southwestern corner, doesn’t afford much in the way of society. But they soon discover that the new tenant, Major Heatherstone, has an almost morbid aversion to company, preferring to keep himself and his family safely behind the new fences and gates he has installed all round the property. Youth finds ways to overcome these problems, however, and John and his sister, Esther, are soon romantically involved with the Major’s daughter, Gabriel, and son, Mordaunt, respectively. John soon learns that the Major’s reclusive habits are because he lives in constant fear, but of what he won’t reveal. However, his children tell the Wests that the Major’s fears intensify every year on October 5th, and then lessen once that date is safely past. This year, however, just a few days before the 5th, a terrible storm blows up and a ship is wrecked off the coast. The survivors include three mysterious men from the East – Buddhist mystics – and when Major Heatherstone hears of this, his fears reach new heights…
The narrator is writing this as a kind of statement to explain the events that follow, and includes various accounts given in the words of witnesses. This gives Conan Doyle the chance to use some Scottish dialect and he does it very well, making it sound very authentic while keeping it clear enough for non-Scots to understand. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing him in Scots mode, since mostly, like most Scots authors, he wrote in standard English to please the much larger English reading public. Most of this is in standard English too, but the dialect and locations give it a Scottish appeal.
In structure, it’s reminiscent of some of the longer Sherlock Holmes stories, in that it tells firstly of what happens in the present and then takes us back to the past to explain the reasons behind the events. It’s pretty clear from early on that the Major’s fears relate to something that he did when he was a serving officer in the Army. Conan Doyle was writing for a contemporary audience who would have been familiar with the campaigns the Major was involved in, but I must admit it took me a bit of time to work out where exactly he was. The Buddhists and the references to Sanskrit scholarship convinced me we were in India, as did the fact that the Major was leading troops including Sepoy soldiers. But there are references to Afghanistan too and John West tells us that the earlier events took place during the first Afghan War. It appears that they took place just over the border, where it was geographically Afghanistan but culturally still very similar to India, and the Indian troops were serving as part of the British Army in that war.
Conan Doyle was always interested in the mystical side of life even before he became so heavily involved in spiritualism, and this book is a real example of the then prevalent opinion of Eastern peoples as having mystical powers unknown to us in the West. There are lots of racial stereotypes and some unfortunate terminology, including use of the n-word, but if you can see past this, in fact Conan Doyle is expressing an admiration for a culture which he portrays as far more spiritually advanced than our own. He doesn’t overtly criticise the behaviour of the Brits in general, but he does show that the imperial belief in our racial superiority led some to commit acts that he in his time, like we in ours, would see as atrocities. His portrayal of the Buddhists is an intriguing insight into the mixture of fascination and fear that the mysterious people of the Orient held for Victorian Britain.
There’s mystery here, but there’s also a generous dollop of horror and very effective it is too! The start is a little slow, but once it gets going it becomes a real page-turner, full of tension as we see the Major haunted by his fears, and then drama as we reach the climax. The concluding section where we learn of the earlier events has its own different kind of horror, as we read the Major’s own diary account of what happened in Afghanistan. Great stuff, up there with the level of the Holmes’ long stories, and I’m at a loss as to why it’s not better known. Perhaps the outdated racial terms have made it fall out of favour, but I do think it’s worth making the effort to see them in their context and look more deeply at the underlying criticism of British imperialist attitudes implied in the story. Another example of wonderful storytelling from the master – highly recommended!
The River at Night by Erica Ferencik
October 2, 2019 FictionFan22 Comments
Wini, our narrator, isn’t an adventurous type but she’s persuaded by her group of friends to go white-water rafting in the wilds of Maine. Pia has always been the leader, the one who holds the group together and who pushes them to step out of their normal routine once a year and take risks. This time she assures them their guide is experienced and knows the river well. It turns out Ryan is a twenty-year-old student with the looks of a Greek hero and enough confidence to persuade the more reluctant members of the group to trust him. Big mistake. Soon enough they run into trouble when their raft is lost and one of their party is killed. You’d think that would be the bad part of the trip, wouldn’t you? You’d be wrong… you’re forgetting that fictional wildernesses are always home to the strangest people…
There are so many books and films about wilderness adventures going horribly wrong that it must be difficult to bring anything original to the table, and Ferencik doesn’t try. We have the usual group of people with pre-existing tensions that will come to the fore when danger threatens. There’s the traditional mix of peril from nature and man – there’s always some kind of weirdo around when an adventure holiday goes wrong, right? We have the ubiquitous current trend of women discovering how strong and resilient they truly are under adversity. And in line with modern adventures, there’s plenty of blood, vomiting and unplanned urination to ensure that reading during mealtimes is not advised.
There’s nothing wrong with writing to a formula, of course – thriller writers have been doing it for at least a century. Ferencik relies on the quality of her writing and characterisation to carry the thing off, and on the whole she succeeds pretty well. The four women are well drawn, each with a distinct personality, and the dynamics of their friendship rings true, with the little petty annoyances and resentments that build up in any small group over time but underpinned by genuine affection and a history of mutual support in bad times. Ryan, the guide, is also reasonably believable, though at every point I felt he came over as older than his supposed age of twenty – he felt too mature and adult to be that age (but that may be a sign of my own age!). The baddies, on the other hand, are ridiculously over-the-top, and their back-story left me totally unconvinced. Sadly I thought they were a real weakness in the plotting, neither credible nor realistic.
Erica Ferencik
Ferencik writes well, both in the slower passages when she is revealing her characters to the reader and in the fast-action sequences which grow and escalate as the book goes on. Too much swearing, of course, none of it necessary and adding nothing to either story or character.
So a mostly good example of a fairly formulaic thriller, let down a little by the unbelievability of the baddies. I enjoyed reading it, but hope she does something a little more original next time – I believe she has the talent, she just needs to find a better plot. Recommended, though, as an entertaining read overall.
The Second Sleep by Robert Harris
September 9, 2019 FictionFan38 Comments
History through heresy…
It’s 1468, and young priest Christopher Fairfax is hurrying to reach the village of Addicott St George before curfew. He has been sent by his bishop to officiate at the funeral of the village’s priest, Father Lacy, who has died in a fall from the local landmark known as the Devil’s Chair. But once installed at the rectory, Christopher discovers that Father Lacy had been a collector of antiquities, some of them prohibited by the Church, and he soon has reason to wonder if there may be something more sinister behind the old priest’s death…
But… that isn’t really what the book’s about. And I can’t tell you properly what it is about, since that would spoil it! Makes writing a review kinda tricky. Suffice it to say, there’s a layer of depth that takes this beyond being a standard historical fiction novel. There are elements of apocalypse and dystopia, though I wouldn’t label the book as falling strictly into those categories either. It has as much to say about the present as the past, although we never visit the present. Are you intrigued? You should be!
Christopher has spent his young life in the Church, sent there as a boy to train in the priesthood. This is his first real venture into the world beyond the limits of the cathedral town he calls home, and he soon finds that the world outside has temptations, not simply of the body but of the mind. Heresy, he finds, is a slippery slope – somehow the forbidden exerts a pull on his mind, and the more he discovers, the more he begins to question all that he has been taught. Are the strict rules the Church forces on the population designed to save their souls, or simply to give the Church a stranglehold on power? At the same time, he is beginning to question his personal vocation – his faith is not in question, but as he becomes open to new thoughts and feelings, he wonders if he is able to go on preaching a religion he is beginning to question.
And he’s not alone in his questioning. Others have dabbled in what the Church calls heresy, although the punishments are brutal. Some tread a fine line, trying to disguise their research into the forbidden areas of the past as anti-heretical warnings. Church and state are inextricably linked, and those who fall out of favour with one must suffer the penalties imposed by the other.
As always, Robert Harris has the ability to create settings which have the feel of total authenticity. Here, there’s an added layer of subtlety as we discover that it’s all not quite as straightforward as it first appears, and he handles the ambiguity wonderfully. If there’s a flaw in his more recent books, it’s that his plotting takes second place to his portrayal of a place or time or event. In Conclave, it’s all about the inner workings of the Vatican and how popes are elected, and the actual plot is the only weak point; in Munich, the plot exists merely as a vehicle to allow us to be a fly on the wall at the Munich Conference of 1938. In this one, the plot revolves around Father Lacy’s death and Christopher’s growing interest in the beliefs of the heretics, but again it’s simply a device for Harris to show us this society from different angles – to let us see how and why it has developed as it has. For some people, I know this is a real weakness, and usually it would be for me too. But I find Harris’ scene-setting and the subjects he chooses so fascinating that I never feel the lack of a strong plot. Sometimes, as in Munich or An Officer and a Spy, he casts so much insight into a point in history that it’s enough for me. Other times, as in this one or, say, Fatherland, he uses a slightly off-kilter look at history to make us see it with fresh eyes – not so much as it was, but rather as how only very slight alterations may have made it work out differently – and I find those wonderfully thought-provoking.
I also find his writing so smooth and effortless-seeming that the actual act of reading is pure pleasure. I find him a very visual writer – he doesn’t go off into extravagantly poetic descriptions, but nevertheless I always end up feeling that I know the places and societies he’s shown me as well as if I’d visited them. And even when he’s making a “point”, he never beats us over the head with it – he respects his readers to think it through for themselves.
As you’ll have gathered, I loved this one – another rung on the ladder that is rapidly helping him climb to the very top of my favourite author heap. I do hope my vague review has intrigued you enough to tempt you to read this one…
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Hutchinson.
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
When Rowan Caine spots an advertisement for a nanny position, she’s staggered by the huge salary that’s being offered. So she’s willing to overlook the little detail that it’s a desperate bid by the potential employers to find someone who doesn’t mind that the house is reputed to be haunted. Because obviously ghosts don’t exist, right? The last four nannies who’ve all left in the last year must have been mistaken. Off she goes, way up to the north of Scotland to a house set in splendid isolation, to take on a family of four girls: two small children, one baby and a bratty teenager. Their parents are busy architects running their own business so are often away from home, leaving their brood in the hands of the nanny, with only a hot handyman and a grumpy old daily help for company. And then the strange noises begin…
The title is a give-away that this is based to some degree on Henry James’ novella, The Turn of the Screw. The isolation, the nanny who may or may not be a reliable narrator, the children who may or may not be sweetly innocent, the absence of parents, the suggestion of evil and the doubts over whether the odd things that happen are human or supernatural in origin, are all there.
At the risk of repeating myself, I will say again – if an author deliberately sets out to remind a reader of a great classic, she needs to be sure her own work will stand the comparison. I wasn’t a wholehearted fan of The Turn of the Screw, finding it a rather unpleasant read overall, but I admired James’ technique and ability to create a deeply disturbing atmosphere. He had, I assume, worked out that horror is exceptionally hard to sustain over lengthy periods, hence the novella form, and used ambiguity to great effect to unsettle the reader, never letting us know whether we could trust what we were reading. Ware has gone for novel length, meaning that there’s much repetition of not particularly scary stuff and far too much detail over the “joys” of childcare – do I need to know what the children have for breakfast every day? The framing mechanism is that Rowan, in prison, is writing a letter to a barrister begging him to take her case, so we are told from the beginning that a child has died and Rowan is accused of murdering her. A 384-page letter. The barrister knows the case from the papers, so Rowan repeatedly says things like “You’ll know why they think that I…” without letting the reader in on it. As always, I found this technique utterly annoying, although I know many people enjoy it.
Having got my grumps over with, there are some good things about it. After a far too slow start, it does become a page-turner, and the quality of the writing meant that even during the excessive details about everything I was never tempted to abandon it. The house is well done – a nice mix of Gothic overlaid with ultra-modern, again, I felt, a nod to the fact that this is a modern version of a classic story. It’s a “smart” house with everything controlled remotely by apps, giving plenty of scope for spooky things with a contemporary feel, but it also has traditional touches like the closed-off attic and the poison garden in the grounds. The house has a history of a dead child and a father who was either an evil murderer or a heartbroken bereaved parent – depends which gossip you listen to. The handyman is either a lovely guy who wants to be helpful or a weirdo with an obscurely evil agenda. Rowan herself isn’t clear-cut either – mostly it’s easy to sympathise with her, but sometimes she doesn’t seem to like children much and we quickly learn she has secrets in her background (of course), though (of course) we won’t learn what they are until the end.
The last quarter or so is the best bit, when the suspense begins to build towards a chilling climax, where all the hints finally become clear and everything is explained. And that brings me back to The Turn of the Screw, where the effectiveness of the story – and the reason it’s a classic – is precisely because all does not become clear! The reader is left to decide for herself what happened, and thus, in a sense, becomes complicit in the creation of the story. I finished my review of it by saying “Generally speaking, I shrug off written horror as soon as I close the book, but I found myself thinking of this story when I woke in the dark reaches of the night, and I had troubled dreams.” With this one, although I quite enjoyed reading it, because everything was neatly tied up and presented to me as a finished story I was left with no shivery after-effects and slept like a log.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Harvill Secker.
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold by John le Carré
August 14, 2019 FictionFan62 Comments
😀 😀 😀 😀 🙂
Alec Leamas is the head of the West German office of the British Secret Service – the time is the early 1960s, just after the building of the Berlin Wall. His main adversary, Hans-Dieter Mundt, has been successfully eliminating all of Leamas’ agents one by one, and Leamas has just witnessed the death of the last double-agent he had in East Berlin. Called home, Leamas expects he will be retired, but he is asked to stay “out in the cold” for one last operation – to take part in an elaborate sting to infiltrate the East German set-up and bring down Mundt. But first he must establish a convincing cover story for himself, one that will make the East Germans believe that he is willing to betray his country…
This is my first le Carré novel, although his books have been adapted so often and he’s been so influential on the genre I felt I had a good idea of what to expect – a bleak, cold portrayal of the work of spies far removed from the glamour of James Bond and his like. And that’s exactly what I got in this slow-burn but engrossing thriller. Le Carré shows a moral equivalence between the agents on both sides of the wall rather than the good Brits/evil enemies portrayal that was more standard in fiction before his time. Both sides are shown as using methods that are murky at best and the question that underpins it is the old one of whether the ends justify the means.
To point this up, le Carré introduces an innocent into the story – Liz Gold, a woman with whom Leamas has an affair while building up his false story. She’s an idealist – a communist at a time when the Communist Party in Britain is so minor and insignificant that it’s more like a social club than a revolutionary political force. As the story progresses, she will have to face the reality of communism under a totalitarian government, and Leamas will have to face the consequences of having accidentally put her in a position of great danger. His world weary cynicism contrasts with her naive belief in humankind. Her love for Leamas and faith in him will force him to reconsider the methods and morality of the organisation of which he has been a part for so long.
The writing style is in line with the character of Leamas – unemotional and somewhat cynical. It takes a long time to work out quite what’s going on, not just for the reader but for the characters too, since it’s full of bluff and double-bluff. There’s a distinction between characters who are doing what they’re doing out of ideological conviction and those who are simply out for power and advancement, but one senses that eventually the believers will in turn become the old cynics – it’s the job that does it to them in the end. This causes you to realise that once upon a time Leamas too was probably an idealist, making him more sympathetic than he first appears. We catch a glimpse too of how some join not through patriotism or belief, but because the job allows them to exercise a natural cruelty. And finally, we see how those at the top see agents as pawns on a chessboard, valuable up to a point, but sometimes worth sacrificing in the pursuit of victory.
There was only one light in the checkpoint, a reading lamp with a green shade, but the glow of the arclights, like artificial moonlight, filled the cabin. Darkness had fallen, and with it silence. They spoke as if they were afraid of being overheard. Leamas went to the window and waited. In front of him the road and to either side the Wall, a dirty, ugly thing of breeze blocks and strands of barbed wire, lit with cheap yellow light, like the backdrop for a concentration camp. East and west of the Wall lay the unrestored part of Berlin, a half-world of ruin, drawn in two dimensions, crags of war.
It’s a bleak tale and a complex one that requires concentration to follow the twisting maze of plot. Le Carré trusts his readers to read between the lines, in terms both of the action and of the motivations of the characters, and ultimately that’s what makes it so satisfying. There’s enough ambiguity in it for each reader to decide for herself exactly what the ending tells us, but there are also clues for those who were paying attention. For those of us who might have missed one or two(!), my Penguin Modern Classics edition has a short but insightful introduction from William Boyd, no slouch himself when it comes to espionage fiction, in which he discusses the impact of the book and his own interpretation of the underlying meanings. This intro must be read as an afterword since it gives away the ending, but it does have a warning to that effect.
Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images
It’s a little more bleak than my taste usually runs to and it took me a bit of time to feel involved in the story, but by the end I was totally absorbed and emotionally hooked. The writing is excellent and le Carré remains totally in control of the complexities of the plotting at all times. There’s an almost noir feeling to it, certainly dark grey anyway, and a kind of despairing cynicism of tone, but there are also small shafts of light and the occasional unexpected humanity that remind us that these people do what they do so that we can live as we choose to live. But at what cost to themselves and, ultimately, to us? Thought-provoking, intelligent and engrossing – no wonder it’s considered a major classic of the genre.
Conviction by Denise Mina
And… action!
As Anna does all her usual early morning tasks, she’s expecting this to be a routine day. But then her best friend, Estelle, turns up at the door, and her husband, Hamish, comes downstairs with a suitcase and an announcement – he’s leaving Anna and going off with Estelle, taking the kids with him. Left alone and feeling shattered, Anna looks for something to distract her mind, and begins listening to a true-crime podcast. She’s amazed to discover that an old friend of hers, Leon, is at the centre of the story – as victim, or murderer, or perhaps both. With nothing better to do and not wishing to dwell on her broken life, Anna sets off to look up old acquaintances and do a bit of digging. Along the way she acquires a travelling companion – Estelle’s abandoned husband, Fin…
There are some dark elements to the story – rape, murder, suicide, anorexia – but the tone is surprisingly light. In the hands of someone less skilled I might have said too light – the handling of the anorexia in particular veered close to being a bit too jocular at times, even though I thought it was a quite realistic portrayal. But Mina keeps the book rattling along as such a pace that there’s no time to dwell on the bleaker themes – this is very much an action thriller. We soon learn that Anna is a woman with a past, one that has damaged her but made her strong. She’s a survivor, and since she quickly decides she’s not going to wallow in misery over her marriage, the reader is happily saved from wallowing with her.
Like all thrillers, the less you know going in the more you’ll enjoy it, so I won’t go too deeply into the story. Anna’s past soon erupts into the present and, as she and Fin hunt for the truth about Leon’s death, she in turn becomes hunted by the people she has been hiding from for years. It becomes a dangerous race across Europe as they begin to suspect that past and present might be connected in some way. Anna and Fin are an unlikely pairing (as Anna would be the first to point out) and their interactions add a lot to the humour and give the book its warmth. There’s an enjoyable mix of excitement and humour, with some serious moments to keep it grounded, and the tension gradually builds to an excellent (if improbable) and totally unexpected dénouement.
Denise Mina
OK, credibility got thrown overboard fairly early on and, after struggling to the surface a couple of times, finally sank without trace. If you’re looking for deep and meaningful, this isn’t it, despite it touching on some of the themes of the moment. But I found it thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced and fun, and very well written. This is only the second Mina I’ve read, the other being the darkly realistic The Long Drop, and I find it hard to imagine two books more different in tone and style. I’m looking forward to getting to know her work better and, meantime, happily recommend this one. If Hitchcock were still with us, he could make it into a great film…
Three Bullets by RJ Ellory
June 25, 2019 June 25, 2019 FictionFan23 Comments
Camelot revisited…
It’s the summer of 1964 and the Democratic Convention is on the horizon, when they’ll have to decide whether they will support President Jack Kennedy as their nominee for another four years. Scandal is beginning to swirl around him, though – over vote-rigging and corruption in the last election, over his increasing health problems and questions about his mental stability, over the many women with whom he is rumoured to have had affairs. When young journalist Jean Boyd is found dead, her mother can’t believe the official line that Jean committed suicide. So she asks Mitch Newman, an old lover of Jean’s, to look into it. Mitch’s investigations will soon take him to Dallas where, back in the previous November, Jean had been following a lead relating to the President’s visit there…
If you’re confused, don’t be. This is an alternative history, based on the premise that JFK did not die in November 1963. Ellory speculates as to how the Presidency would have played out if Kennedy had remained in office – would the scandals of which we’re all now aware have become front and centre during his re-election campaign? Was he fit, physically and mentally, for another four years? Would the Democrats have stuck by him if he lost the Camelot glamour that inspired a generation? Would Jackie have been able to tolerate another four years of his blatant philandering? All interesting questions, and Ellory’s research felt solid to me so that, although he perhaps takes some aspects a little further than my credibility was wholly willing to follow, it nevertheless felt mostly chillingly possible.
The other strand of the story is Mitch’s investigation into Jean’s death, and unfortunately this worked less well for me. Mitch has never got over Jean although they split up when they were barely adults, and we are treated to endless descriptions of his feelings of guilt, loss and self-loathing, all of which bored me to distraction. Ellory even chooses to include several of the love letters Mitch sent to Jean after their break-up, all of which reveal nothing more startling than that he was sorry and still loved her. (Poor Jean – if she was anything like me, she probably only read the first three…) Ellory repeats and repeats how Mitch feels today, how he felt back then, how he felt when he was in Korea during the war. The book could have lost ninety per cent of all this, and been considerably better for it.
RJ Ellory
It’s a pity because otherwise this strand is interesting too. Basically, it’s the story of the real assassination, only changed to reflect the fact that in the book the assassination doesn’t come off. But real people show up – Jack Ruby, Lee Oswald, etc. – and Ellory treads a line between the official account and the various major conspiracy theories. I’m not hugely knowledgeable about the details of the event, but it all seemed to tie in well with what is known as far as I could tell.
It all leads up to a satisfying thriller ending, which again teeters precariously on the edge of credibility but doesn’t quite fall off. The whole presents a dark, dark picture of the Kennedy clan, exaggerated in places (I assume) to achieve a thriller effect, but sadly mostly only too believable. If you can put up with all Mitch’s endless regrets or, like me, skim read past most of them, then the what-if? features make this an interesting and enjoyable read.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Orion.
Twisted by Steve Cavanagh
The clue’s in the title…
JT LeBeau is a hugely successful author who specialises in the twist. He, or could it be she, hides his or her identity from the world, and this mystique of course only adds to the hype around her or his books. She, or is it he, will do anything to keep his or her secret…
OK, every review I’ve read of this has started in basically the same way and now I’m adding to it – this is one that’s impossible to say much about without giving away too much, so this review will be short and not very informative!
It’s all in the title – this is a book full of twists about an author who writes books full of twists. It’s clever and amusing and a bit self-referential, in that it’s lightly mocking what it itself is. Cavanagh has fun with the twists and plays with the idea of authors using secret identities, not shying away from referencing the likes of JK Rowling, aka Robert Galbraith.
It’s very well written and the plot holds together pretty well despite the twists. However, it’s light on characterisation – it has to be really, so we can continually be surprised. This makes it a light read despite some dark moments. There’s no feeling of depth, nor does the reader get the opportunity to care much about the characters. The only one I built up any kind of feeling for was the local Sheriff who was investigating the… oh, sorry, can’t tell you what he was investigating. And not surprisingly, as twist piles on twist, credibility is the chief victim.
One minor irritation is that Cavanagh, clearly feeling that constant repetition of he/she, her/his, etc., would be irritating, chooses to use they/their instead – grammatically tooth-drilling to my pedantic soul. We really need to create a gender-neutral word. So, since the fault lies with the inadequacy of our language, I bit the bullet and forgave the author. Just.
Overall, I found it a fast-paced page-turner that kept me amused while reading, and will almost instantly be forgotten. That’s fine, though – sometimes entertainment is all that’s wanted, and this delivers well on that score. Recommended as a well written bit of fun.
Deadland (DS Alex Cupidi 2) by William Shaw
June 3, 2019 FictionFan42 Comments
Ramping up the tension…
When a severed limb turns up inside an urn on loan to the local art gallery, DS Alex Cupidi and the team have a real mystery on their hands. First they have to try to work out to whom it belonged and if the owner is dead, and why it was left in a place where it was bound to be discovered, all before they can even begin to investigate who put it there. At the same time, two local lads, Sloth and Tap, are starting out on a life of petty crime. They decide to steal a mobile phone, but unfortunately for them they pick the wrong victim, and soon find themselves being hunted by someone who seems willing to go to any lengths to recover his property, so they run off into hiding. While Alex is tied up in the possible murder investigation, she can’t help being worried for the safety of the boys – criminals they may be, but they’re also victims, of difficult homes, of substandard schools, of a society that doesn’t seem to care. And they’re the same age as Alex’ own daughter, Zoe…
Alex Cupidi is a great detective. She isn’t an angst-ridden maverick, but there are enough complications in her personal life to make her interesting, and her relationship with her daughter is entirely credible. Zoe is seventeen, mostly adult but still part child, and Alex is finding it difficult to get the balance right between protecting her and letting her find her own way in life. The situation is complicated by Zoe’s zealous championing of causes which sometimes bring her into confrontation with the forces of law and order. Shaw handles this excellently, never taking it too far, and there’s plenty of love in the relationship to help smooth over any areas of conflict.
The police procedural aspect is just as good. Shaw lets us know about the painstaking detail that goes into an investigation without allowing the story to get bogged down in it. Alex’ colleague and friend, Jill, has got herself into a tricky personal situation, and this lets us see another side of Alex, trying to juggle loyalty to her friend with the professional demands of the job.
One thing I particularly loved was that Shaw includes people of different ethnicities and sexual orientations without making a big deal of it. I’m so tired of authors feeling they have to write “about” diversity – until we start treating diversity as normal, it never will be. So hurrah for an author who makes it unremarkable…
(This is the second time I’ve made a comment like this recently, the other being in relation to the entirely believable, positive background portrayal of racially diverse Birmingham in Lucie Whitehouse’s Critical Incidents. A new trend, perhaps? If so, a very welcome one.)
The plotting is great – complex and fast-paced, but never to a degree where the reader feels lost. It takes Alex and Jill into the rich and shady world of art-trading, where vast amounts of money changing hands provides opportunities for all kinds of dodgy dealing, and the wealthy shelter behind their security fences and sense of entitlement. But through Tap and Sloth we also see the other end of the social spectrum, where a meal in a burger bar can seem like a feast. There’s no faux “that day” suspense in this one. Instead, Shaw makes us care so deeply about the two boys that the tension level ramps ever higher as the story unfolds, with some real heart-thumping moments along the way. And there’s no cosiness about it, so that there’s a real feeling of fear that one or both of them may pay the ultimate price for their stupid crime. But equally their story is not too grim or gritty to be enjoyable. There’s a lot of warmth and humour in their friendship – two misfits who’ve each found someone they can rely on, even love.
Shaw makes excellent use of his Kent setting, both in town and out on the wild and forbidding marshland landscape of Dungeness. He lets us see all the contrasts in wealth in this area, the secluded and luxurious homes of the rich, while the old seaside hotels and boarding houses along the Kent coast are now hostels housing many of the refugees and migrants recently arrived on our shores.
This is one of those rare masterclasses in crime writing that should be made compulsory reading for all aspiring authors. I loved everything about it, especially the sections of the boys on the run, and raced through it because I needed to know whether they would make it. Did I come out of it smiling or sobbing though? I’m afraid you’ll have to read it for yourself to find the answer to that question. One thing I will tell you – I’ll be backtracking to read Shaw’s earlier books, and adding him to my read-on-publication-day list for future ones…
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, riverrun at Quercus.
Death In Captivity by Michael Gilbert
May 8, 2019 FictionFan44 Comments
A locked tunnel mystery…
It’s 1943, and the British officers held in a prisoner-of-war camp in north Italy take their duty to escape seriously, so the camp is riddled with tunnels. The biggest and most hopeful of these is under Hut C, elaborately hidden under a trapdoor that takes several men to open. So when a body turns up in the tunnel the question is not only how did he die but also how did he get into the tunnel? The dead man is Cyriakos Coutoules, a Greek prisoner who was widely unpopular and whom some suspected of having been an informer. When it begins to look as if his death was murder, the camp authorities quickly fix on one of the prisoners as the culprit, but the Brits are sure of his innocence. So it’s up to them to figure out how and why Coutoules died, and who did kill him…
Well, this is a very different take on the classic “locked room” mystery. In fact, to a degree the mystery becomes secondary to the drama of what’s happening in the prison camp as the Allies approach and it looks as though the Italians may surrender. The prisoners doubt this will lead to their release – they anticipate the Italians will hand them over to the Germans before the Allies arrive – so it’s all the more important that they get their plans for escape ready urgently. The Italians meantime, facing almost certain defeat, know that the Allies will be looking to hold people responsible for any war crimes that may have been committed, so they have an incentive to destroy evidence or get rid of witnesses who might be used against them. So tensions are rising all round, and some people are driven to rash actions.
There is a bit of the gung-ho British heroism attitude in the book, unsurprisingly given that it was first published in 1952 when the war was still fresh in people’s minds. But Gilbert actually gives a fairly balanced picture – not all the Brits are heroes and not all the Italians are evil, and the relationships of the prisoners to each other are shown as complex, with everything from close friendships to rivalries and dislikes. As the men begin to suspect that there’s a spy in the camp, suspicion leads to mistrust, and we see how the officers in charge have to deal with that. Gilbert doesn’t pull any punches regarding either the treatment of the prisoners or the dangers associated with their various escape attempts, so the book is hard-hitting at points. But the general camaraderie and patriotism of the prisoners also give the story a kind of good-natured warmth and a fair amount of humour which prevent the tone from becoming too bleak.
The officers in charge delegate the task of investigating the murder to “Cuckoo” Goyles, a young man whose experience of detection is restricted exclusively to having been a fan of mystery novels. He has to try to sift through the little evidence that is available without revealing anything that might alert the Italians to the existence of the tunnel. He uses his knowledge of how the camp works and of some of the weaknesses in security the escape committee has observed while making their plans. And he has to work quickly – the cruel camp commander, Captain Benucci, has a man in custody and no one has any illusions but that he’ll be found guilty.
Michael Gilbert
However, I was far more interested in whether the men would escape safely than in the solution of the murder mystery, in truth. I felt Gilbert’s portrayal avoided the pitfall of being overly dramatic to the point where it crossed the credibility line, but this still left him plenty of room to create genuine tension and suspense. In his introduction, Martin Edwards tells us that Gilbert himself was a prisoner in Italy during the war and had personal experience of both failed and successful escape attempts, which no doubt is why the story feels so authentic. As the Allies draw ever nearer, the book takes on aspects of the action thriller and I found myself reading into the small hours, desperate to know how it would turn out.
This is so unlike the only other Gilbert I’ve read, Smallbone Deceased, but both are equally excellent in entirely different ways. I’m so glad the British Library has brought these books back into print and I now can’t wait to read the third one they’ve republished so far – Death Has Deep Roots. You can count me as a new Michael Gilbert fan, and if you haven’t already guessed, this one is highly recommended.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, the British Library.
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Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made (2019)
March 16, 2020 Jim McLennan horror, reviews
Rating: C+
Dir: David Amito, Michael Laicini
Star: Nicole Tompkins, Rowan Smyth, Dan Istrate, Circus-Szalewski
I sense IMDb reviews in this film’s future, such as: “2/10, failed to kill me after viewing. Over-rated.” This takes the concept most well-known through Ringu, or its sequels and remakles -“cursed” viewing material, which impacts everyone who watches it – and expands it from a single video-tape to an entire feature. It begins with mockumentary footage discussing the film’s history, and the ill events which followed in its footsteps. A screening in a Bulgarian cinema was interrupted by the cinema burning down. After being submitted to a number of festivals, programmers who viewed it suffered sudden deaths. And a Californian showing ended in chaos because the movie popcorn was spiked with LSD. This is probably the most interesting element, because it works hard, and effectively enough, at building the myth. I’d rather they had kept going down this road, for example, investigating the makers of the film, or those who participated in it, and their fates.
Instead, the bulk of the running-time is the film itself, in which brother and sister Nathan (Smyth) and Oralee (Tompkins) go into a forest, supposedly cursed because it is where Lucifer landed after being cast out of heaven. Their aim is to dig down to hell, and release the spirit of their dead dog, which they were cruelly informed, did not go to heaven. However, it’s clear the forest is not a happy place, with other inhabitants including those who want to take their own lives, and a particularly creepy couple, owner-operators of a brazen bull. That is a giant metal bull figure, into which any people unfortunate enough to cross their path, get stuffed and roasted. Various dark figures lurk on the edge of the scene (as well as a stop-motion demonic squirrel!). As the weirdness intensifies, Oralee – who initially thought this would be a cathartic experience for her sibling – begins to disintegrate, Blair Witch-style, under the psychological pressure.
This does a nice enough job of capturing the washed-out style of a “lost” movie of uncertain origin from the seventies. The opening credits are in Russian, though whether that’s its origin is unclear (this may be a nod to the urban legend about the Soviets drilling into hell). But watching two people digging a hole, and one of them going crazy, isn’t really enough on which to hang a feature film. The injection of subliminal imaging, such as 170+ sigils of Astaroth, and supposed binaural audio, don’t particularly offer much additional impact. It probably peaks with the legal disclaimer which separates the documentary portion from the actual movie. This is an intertitle waiver ending in, “If you disagree in any way with this notice, you must leave the theater now.” The 30-second countdown attached to it, is a lovely nod back to the “Fright Break” before the climax of William Castle’s Homicidal, giving the audience a similar chance to escape. But Antrum is also like most of Castle’s works, in that the sizzle is considerably more impressive than the steak.
Circus-Szalewski
Dan Istrate
David Amito
Michael Laicini
Nicole Tompkins
Rowan Smyth
Return of War of the War of the Worlds
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BLACK FILMMAKERS AND SCREENWRITERS TRIUMPH AT HBFF
By admin | February 19, 2002
Filmmakers were honored for their achievements in filmmaking and screenwriting during the Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) closing night awards presentation.
The festival, HBFF’s fourth annual competitive event for Black filmmakers screened 80 films, a record number over six days from February 5-10 at the Harmony Gold Preview House in Los Angeles. Black Talent News, the leading premiere publication for African Americans in the entertainment industry was the presenting sponsor. Tanya Kersey-Henley, BTN’s publisher and editor-in-chief has directed production of the festival since its inception. Competing filmmakers and storytellers received prizes valued at more than $22,000.00 from Southwest Airlines, FilmProfit, ROI Reports and Consultation, NBS Post, Screenplay Systems, Black Talent News, The Post Group, Kodak, JR Post and Harrison Reiner, CBS Story Analyst and UCLA Screenwriting Instructor.
In an interesting twist, two Los Angeles based husband and wife filmmaking teams led the pack in the feature category. The HBFF Jury Award for Best Feature Film was won by “All AboutYou,” a romantic comedy written and directed by Christine Swanson and produced by her husband Michael. In “All About You,” a young woman’s realization that she is not included in her corporate climbing boyfriend’s rise to the top prompts her to relocate to start anew. However, she doesn’t actually get the fresh start that she hoped for due to a twist of fate. “Flight of the Bumble Bee,” written by Linda Hamblin Denton and directed by Rayce Denton was this year’s Audience Choice Award Recipient. Screening at HBFF for its Los Angeles premiere, “Flight of the Bumble Bee” is the story of what it means to believe in yourself. The plot revolves around a young thug trying to go straight who learns a powerful lesson about life and living after being forced into a bizarre relationship with an abused woman. The honorable mention in the feature category went to “Blue Hill Avenue,” the story of four friends from Boston that find out the choices they make as children will haunt them as adults. Written and directed by Craig Ross, Jr., the HBFF screening was the film’s West Coast Premiere.
British filmmaker Anthony Alleyne’s dark comedy “The Booth,” an HBFF World Cinema Short took top honors in the Short Film Competition. “The Booth” follows a day in the life of a young entrepreneur who runs a successful travel agency from a phone booth. Receiving an honorable mention was “Firebug,” written by Brian Burgoyne and directed by Michelle Harris. “Firebug” tells the story of a young Black boy who secretly starts fires in rural Georgia circa 1934 as his sharecropping father is harassed by the white landowner to find the culprit.
“Peeping Tom” took top honors in the HBFF Student Film Competition. Produced and directed by Jason Todd Ipson, “Peeping Tom” is a day in the life of 10-year old Thomas on the morning after he breaks a wish bone and his whole world changes once his wish comes true. The Student Film category honorable mention went to “Voting While Black,” written and directed by Malissa Strong. “Voting While Black” is inspired by the events of the 2000 presidential election. The film explores the security of our civil rights today while reflecting on the historical struggles put forth to obtain them.
Top honors in the Documentary category went to “Keeping The Faith With Morrie,” produced by Angel Harper, written and directed by Ashley Rogers. Canadian filmmaker Anthony Sherwood received an honorable mention for “Honour Before Glory,” the story of Canada’s one and only all Black military battalion which was formed during World War I.
Highlighting this year’s festival was the annual HBFF Storyteller Competition. Storyteller finalists participated in a live stage reading produced and directed by veteran thespian Raymond Forchion and Akua Campanella, CSA who also headed the casting effort. Writer Angela Comer’s “The Way You Are” took top honors. “The Way You Are” is the story of two people invading the personal ads on a quest to find a soul mate who discover each other along the way. Michael Ajakwe’s “A Child For A Child” received an honorable mention. “A Child For A Child” tells story of a grief stricken father who on the anniversary of his son’s murder goes to the home of the child who killed him – to murder him.
Get more info from the official Hollywood Black Film Festival web site.
Check out FILMTHREAT.com’s FILM FESTIVAL ARCHIVES for more fest news!
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NYT: White House staffer to testify against Trump
BY Flyn Braun October 29, 2019 3:14 pm GMT+0300 247 Views
According to the publication, the expert on Ukraine Alexander Vindman twice sent objections about the relations of Trump and his entourage with Kyiv.
A White House official working in the field of national security on Tuesday plans to tell the impeachment investigation, which is conducted by the House of Representatives, that he heard President Donald Trump appealed to the President of Ukraine to investigate the activities of one of the main political rivals.
The New York Times reported.
The newspaper writes that the employee felt that this request was causing significant damage to American interests and reported it to his boss.
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, a leading expert on Ukraine at the National Security Council, has twice presented internal objections to the way Trump and his inner circle are treating Ukraine.
According to a draft version of his opening statement, which appeared in the possession of the New York Times, he intends to tell investigators that he took these actions “out of a sense of duty.”
He will be the first White House staffer to hear Trump’s phone conversation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on July 25, who will testify, the New York Times notes.
The conversation, in which Trump asked Zelensky to investigate the activities of former Vice President Joseph Biden, was at the center of the impeachment investigation.
“I considered it inappropriate to require a foreign government to investigate the activities of an American citizen, and I was concerned about the consequences in terms of the US government’s support for Ukraine,” Vindman said in a statement.
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Gadget Freeks - Latest News on Gear, Gaming, Mobile & Laptop
Truth or Dare App – Game Launched by HobCore
By Erin Last updated Jun 4, 2019
Recently HobCore launched the most awaited Adult Party Game of the Year.
There is no better way to know your friends or bae than indulging them in a truth or dare game or you can say spin the bottle. It goes without saying that this game has been a party pleaser for years. Truth or Dare is one of the best adult party games. This is the primary reason why one definitely needs to get their hands on the “virtual version” of the spin the bottle party game. Not only does it help in giving you sets of questions to play with, but the truth and dare game also gets the points sorted out as well.
This truth and dare bottle game do have randomized as well as a feature to add new cues that into it to get the game rolling. You can get into the custom mode and add your own set of questions for truth and dares for playing a fun-filled customized game.
Our collection of truths and dares questionnaire is pretty unique and worked after 100s of hours of research and survey among 100s of teenagers and family people.
This is an app that has been particularly designed for parties and get-togethers where you can have a fun-filled night with your friends and family. With the help of this app, you can entertain your guests really well. The best thing about this app is that it comes with various categories of tasks that are mainly divided into different topics. For example, it is ideal for friendly gatherings, for people above 18, for romantic dates and even for parties with booze. In short, it can be said that this app is a complete package for you to have a fun filled time.
The game can be played in big groups or even with just one friend. However, if there are more people the level of fun is more. Also, the content in the app is regularly updated so that you can get new things every time. There is no way that you can get bored of this app because of all the new tasks that are available in it. The app also comes with over thousands of Truth or Dare questions. The questions are pretty interesting and it makes sure that you have great fun. One thing that is worth mentioning is that the app is completely free to use. All you need to do is download the app and install it in your device and get the enjoyment started. With the help of this app, you can make any occasion fun. All you need is an android device and you are all set to use this app. If you haven’t tried this app before then you should definitely try it now. Over are the days when you had to play Truth or Dare using a bottle. Now it’s time to play it with the exciting Truth or Dare- Spin The Bottle app.
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The app is loaded with features. The developers have made sure that you have the most fun while using this app. Before you install this app in your device it is worth for you to know about its features as well. Here are the main features of the app that you need to know about.
The app comes with three different game modes and that is for kids, for teens, and for adults. You can choose the mode depending on the age of the people you are going to play it with.
You can also add your own dares to the app.
You can include up to 15 players in the game while using this app.
You can even set the name of the players in the app. This is why this app is just ideal for large groups and parties.
The app is regularly updated with new content so that you do not get bored with it.
The app is available for free.
You can also keep a track of the score so that you know who is winning. The app has a scoreboard to help you keep a track.
The app is also very easy to use and it also has a very user-friendly interface.
The app requires at least two players for the game to be played.
You can even add your own questions in the app. Other than that the app comes with more 2500 questions in it.
The app also provides you with a couple of games as well.
You can even turn on and off the sound of the game depending on your need.
You can also change the bottle in the game.
So these are the features that define this app. If you are up for some real-time fun then download this app today.
To conclude, it can be said that Truth or Dare- Spin The Bottle is the best Truth Or Dare app that you can get out there. it has all the necessary features that you need and it is also available for free.
Erin 1248 posts 0 comments
Erin is a CEO at GadgetFreeks. She manages the entire news site. She is basically VP of Engineering at Brandwatch. Apart from tech, she likes to write about anything with interest her.
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One Night in Miami... (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
By special arrangement with Blue Öyster Cult and its management, Real Gone Music is thrilled to present, for the first time on CD, the band's complete July 24, 1983 concert at Perkins Palace in Pasadena, CA. Originally recorded for radio broadcast, this was long regarded as one of the best-sounding BÖC bootlegs, and now it is finally coming out on authorized physical form, complete with liner notes by Scott Schinder and rare photos. Further confirmation that Donald 'Buck Dharma' Roeser is one of America's great, unsung guitar heroes (don't miss the 10-minute, concert-closing version of "Roadhouse Blues")!
https://grandpasrecords.com 848064011477
Label: REAL GONE MUSIC
Live '83
Artist: Blue Oyster Cult
1. Stairway to the Stars
2. Harvester of Eyes
3. Workshop of the Telescopes
4. Before the Kiss, a Red Cap
5. Born to Rock
6. Hot Rails to Hell
7. 7 Screaming Dizbusters
8. Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll
9. Burnin' for You
10. Joan Crawford
11. Born to Be Wild
12. Don't Fear the Reaper
13. Roadhouse Blues
Copyright © grandpasrecords
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Contact the Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation 617-355-5275
Request An AppointmentRequest A Second Opinion
Diagnosis & Treatments
Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS)
What is short bowel syndrome?
Short bowel syndrome (SBS), or simply "short gut," is a condition caused by the loss of a functioning small intestine. The small intestine is an important part of the digestive tract — it's where we absorb most of the sugars, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals from the food we eat. When a child doesn't have enough small intestine, the body can't absorb the nutrients it needs to grow and thrive.
SBS is a serious condition because if left untreated, it can lead to dehydration and malnutrition and can be life threatening. The extent of your child's problems with SBS usually depends on which sections and how much of the small intestine are affected.
Short bowel syndrome is a rare condition — but you don’t have to go it alone. This animated video can help both kids and adults understand how short bowel syndrome occurs and how we treat it at Boston Children’s Hospital.
What are the symptoms of short bowel syndrome?
The symptoms of short bowel syndrome (SBS) are essentially all those associated with the inability to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption), including:
weight loss/failure to gain weight
vitamin and mineral deficiencies
In addition to preventing the intestine from absorbing nutrients, SBS poses other problems. For instance, if your child doesn't have enough small intestine, the remaining part tries to fix the problem on its own. It expands, creating more surface area to draw in nutrients. The wider the intestine, the longer it takes for the body to move nutrients through it. More time in the intestines means more time for the bacteria that would normally be swept promptly along to multiply, increasing your child's chance of infection, known as small bowel bacterial overgrowth.
What are the causes of SBS?
SBS is caused by an insufficient length of small intestine. There are several reasons why SBS may occur:
intestinal problems that your baby was born with. These can include intestinal atresia or stenosis, gastroschisis, volvulus, and severe Hirschsprung's disease.
necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). NEC is an illness that damages the intestinal tissues in babies and can lead to holes or areas of narrowing (strictures) in the intestines.
other causes. These may include a traumatic injury to the small bowel that requires that it be removed, Crohn's disease, radiation enteritis, vasculitis, and others.
Download our Living with Short Bowel Syndrome e-book
How we care for short bowel syndrome
The Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation (CAIR) at Boston Children's Hospital is one of the world's premier programs for the treatment of SBS. Each year, our program cares for more than 200 children from all regions of the country and abroad. In 2002, our doctors performed the world's first serial transverse enteroplasty procedure (STEP), a surgical technique that lengthens and tapers the intestines of children with SBS. Since then, we have performed dozens of these procedures with success. Our interdisciplinary center is also renowned for innovations in the nutritional and medical management of children with SBS. CAIR was the first center to use a novel intravenous preparation (Omegaven) for the treatment of liver disease associated with intestinal failure.
Related Conditions and Treatments
Apnea of Prematurity
Intestinal atresia and stenosis
Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplant
We are proud to serve a broad and diverse patient population that often comes to us for answers they can't find anywhere else. This top ranking is a credit and a tribute to our extraordinary and deeply committed clinicians, researchers and so many others who dedicate every day to improving and advancing the health and well-being of all children.
Sandra L. Fenwick, CEO
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This is historical material, "frozen in time." The web site is no longer updated and links to external web sites and some internal pages will not work.
Home > News & Policies > February 2007
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Vice President's Remarks with Australian Minister of Defense Brendan Nelson with Australian Defence Force Personnel
Victoria Barracks
10:15 A.M. (Local)
DR. NELSON: Mr. Vice President, firstly, welcome again to our country and to Sydney, and to this, the Victoria Barracks, which, as you can see, is one of our finest and longest established institutions. Air Chief Marshall Houston, Chief of Defence, Your Excellency, Ambassador, this morning, we are privileged to be in the presence of a group of men and women who by wearing the uniform of the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force define and shape our values -- the way we see ourselves as Australians and what's important to us. And what these men and women do, and how they do it and how their predecessors have done it since -- for almost a hundred years or more in our country, we share your ideals, the belief in freedom, in human dignity, the belief in respecting the rights and freedoms of other human beings and upholding our responsibilities to do it throughout the world.
We're also very mindful that we are free people today not only because of our own sacrifices, but the sacrifices of your country -- particularly in the Pacific, and particularly at the Coral Sea and other places in 1942. You are very welcome here, sir.
And these are a cross section of our finest men and women from cooks and stewards and logisticians, infantry, sailors, airmen and women, loadies, Special Services, the whole variety. Thank you, sir. And you're very welcome.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you, Mr. Minister. I wanted to come by this morning. This is the first opportunity for me to visit the Victoria Barracks, but I've been familiar with the great work of the Australian Defence Forces since I was Secretary some 15 years ago. One of the highlights I mentioned was coming down on the 50th anniversary of the Coral Sea and bringing the aircraft carrier Independence to the entire battle group for a weekend of liberty, or a week of liberty here in Australia. It was a great event, and I always think of that when I see Sydney Harbor out here.
But the fact is, of course, we all remember -- we Americans remember John Howard was in Washington on 9/11, had given a speech there the day before 9/11, and after those events of that day, made it clear that Australia was in the global war on terror right alongside the United States and many other nations. And I wanted to come by this morning to say thank you for the work and contribution that your forces have made in many places in the world, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is deeply appreciated. We have no better ally either in terms of competence or in terms of willingness and ability to work together. We've been doing it for a hundred years, and it's very, very important that we continue. Obviously in the years ahead, so I came by this morning simply to thank you for what you've done with all of us.
END 10:18 A.M. (Local)
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The cicada’s deafening shriek is the sound of summer, and humans have been drawn to it for thousands of years
Around Australia, the buzz-saw siren of cicadas heralds the beginning of summer. With 237 recorded species of cicada in Australia, almost no area of the country is untouched by their song. Up to 800 species in Australia are still to be scientifically recognised.
Cicadas, however, aren’t unique to Australia: the insects are found all over the world, though they’re most common in tropical regions.
As the world’s loudest insects, the ear-splitting call from the males is a love song to draw their mates near. But humans, too, have been drawn to singing cicadas, with the insects featuring in ancient poetry and literature of different cultures for thousands of years.
So, as we settle into summer, let’s explore the curious life-cycle of cicadas, and how people in ancient Greece and China, in particular, revered them.
The sound of summer
The life of a cicada begins as one of up to 400 eggs laid by a female in the bark of a tree. A nymph (juvenile) cicada hatches, falls to the ground and tunnels into the dirt to begin the majority of its life.
Cicada nymphs will live in the soil for between one and five years, though different species may remain underground in the nymph stage for longer. In the US, for example, one species can live underground for up to 17 years before emerging.
When ready to become adults, nymphs must leave the soil to moult. A split opens along the back of the nymph’s exoskeleton and the adult cicada pushes its way out.
These cicada shells — the ghost of its youth — are often the only evidence we can find of the insect. As an adult, a cicada will eat, sing, mate and die, all in a few weeks.
The shell left behind as a cicada changes from a nymph to an adult. You can see a large split from the head down the back to the abdomen the adult emerged from. Eliza Middleton
Each species has its own unique call, and the noise can be truly deafening. For perspective, normal conversation between humans is recorded at about 60 decibels. But some cicada species, such as the Greengrocer cicada (Cyclochila australasiae) found along the coast of southeast Australia, can reach 120 decibels.
This is like standing beside emergency sirens. It’s also on the edge of causing pain or injury to human ears, which generally occurs at 130 decibels.
The noise is created by a structure called the tymbal, which works a bit like a drum. The tymbal is a thin membrane stretched across a number of “ribs” creating large chambers. These membranes vibrate rapidly through muscle action, which makes a clicking sound that’s amplified by their hollow abdomen.
After 17 years underground, cicada nymphs emerge in the billions | Planet Earth.
There are more than 3,200 cicada species scientifically described, and many more waiting to be discovered. They belong to the superfamily called the Cicadoidea, which is part of a larger animal group — the order Hemiptera, or the “true bugs”.
Insects in the Hemiptera order, such as aphids, leafhoppers and bed bugs, alongside cicadas, are known for having sucking and piercing mouthparts. This allows them to feed on sap by piercing the tree and drinking from the xylem (plant tissue that transports water and nutrients from roots to stems). This is how both the nymphs and adult cicadas feed — the former feeds off the roots while the latter feeds from the trunk.
Read more: Photos from the field: zooming in on Australia's hidden world of exquisite mites, snails and beetles
Symbolism and stories
For the people of ancient Greece and China, cicadas were the focus of many beliefs that, despite the separation of East from West, were surprisingly similar. Both cultures admired them.
For the Greeks, the “tettix” was carefree and harmless. For the Chinese, the “tchen” was noble, yet also humble.
A nymph cicada that just emerged from its shell, which lies beside it. Shutterstock
Both societies loved the insects’ incessant call. Greek literature describes their call as “sweet”, such that a friendly cicada, legend says, once replaced the missing note when a string broke on a musician’s lyre. Like they do for us today, the cicadas’ hum also heralded the summer, especially the midday heat.
The Chinese of the Tang dynasty (618 to 906 AD) were so enamoured with the insects’ song, cicadas were caught and sold in small cages as pets. The Greeks may also have kept cicadas, as revealed by epitaphs written after their death, although the captive insects would have quickly died from starvation.
The esteem with which the cicada was held is also reflected in their association with the arts in both cultures.
They were the popular subject of Chinese poetry and paintings. And another Greek story tells us that when the Muses, goddesses of the arts, were born, an ancient race of men sang non-stop until they died, after which they transformed into cicadas.
Jade cicada from the Han Dynasty, at the Xuzhou Museum. Mary Harrsch/Wikimedia, CC BY-SA
Cicada biology was also noted in these ancient times. In the 4th century BC, Aristotle determined correctly that only the male cicada sings and the cicada’s call was produced by the movement of abdominal membranes. Chinese observers also noted the female’s lack of sound in the 6th century AD.
The insects’ life cycle was of enormous significance to both peoples. The nymphs’ emergence from the earth provided a powerful symbol of Greek “autochthony”, the belief a community had always lived in a particular place as the original inhabitants. And the moulted skin of adult cicadas was a sign of immortality.
Read more: This ancient Chinese anatomical atlas changes what we know about acupuncture and medical history
What’s more, cicadas held similar ornamental values in both ancient China and Greece.
During China’s Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD), jade cicadas were placed in the mouths of the dead. The stone had supposed preservative qualities, while the insect offered the hope of resurrection.
The Greek elite are said to have worn gold cicadas in their hair to signal their ties to Athens. Such ornamentation was also associated with Chinese nobility, in which golden cicadas adorned the hats of Han Dynasty court officials. Intriguingly, this practice was said to have been introduced by outsiders.
We cannot yet say whether such similar beliefs stem from early East-West contact. But the prominent cultural role of the “tchen” and “tettix” is certainly testimony to humanity’s enduring summer love affair with the curious caterwauling cicada.
Read more: Want to teach kids about nature? Insects can help
Eliza Middleton receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Linda Evans has previously received research funding from the Australian Research Council.
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Tom Hanks Archives
Tom Hanks Archives is a comprehensive website dedicated to Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks who is best known for his roles in such films as Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Sleepless in Seattle, Apollo 13 and A League of Their Own. Tom can next be seen in theaters in the filmsGreyhound, BIOS and News of the World. This site is determined to bring you the most up to date information on this talented performer and his career. I hope you enjoy your visit!
Gates McFadden
Elvis Presley Project 2021
Colonel Tom Parker
Production on Hold
A look at the life of the legendary rock and roll star, Elvis Presley.
IMDb |
News of the World 2020
Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd
A Texan traveling across the wild West bringing the news of the world to local townspeople, agrees to help rescue a young girl who was kidnapped.
BIOS 2020
On a post-apocalyptic earth, a robot, built to protect the life of his creator's beloved dog, learns about life, love, friendship and what it means to be human.
Commander Ernest Krause
Early in World War II, an inexperienced U.S. Navy captain must lead an Allied convoy being stalked by Nazi U-boat wolfpacks.
Trailer |
Tom’s Official Resources
Tom is not only known for his work in the film industry but also for the work he has done giving back to the multiple charities that he has been involved with. He has shared that he feels very blessed that he is able to do what he can. “But at the end of the day, you [have] got to wake up in the morning and try to make the world a better place.”
While Tom doesn't like to speak about his charity work, his wife Rita has shared, “I’ve always been proud of the work that Tom does. He’s very discreet, he doesn’t make a big deal about it and he’s very consistent… I’m in awe of how he handles it.”
Tom contributes to a variety of organizations but he has a soft spot for organizations that help miltary veterans and their families, those that help abused children, AIDS research, and more. Below is a small list of those he has contributed his time and resources to:
ELIZABETH DOLE FOUNDATION
elizabethdolefoundation.org
ONE CAMPAIGN
one.org
pedaids.org
ELI WIESEL FOUNDATION FOR HUMANITY
eliewieselfoundation.org
hanksarchives.com
Since June 6, 2019
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Tom Hanks Writes Exclusively For Empire About War And Hope
Ali Apr 14, 2020 0 Articles, Greyhound, Interviews, Magazines
Empire has a feature from Tom in their new issue.
Few voices in Hollywood are more comforting than that of Tom Hanks – a man whose sheer goodness has permeated through to benevolent screen roles from Mister Rogers to Sheriff Woody. His next movie, the World War II naval drama Greyhound, is even more of a personal project – with Hanks not only starring as Commander Ernest Krause but writing the screenplay too, adapting C.S. Forester’s novel The Good Shepherd. To mark Hanks penning his third feature film, Empire asked the movie legend to hit the typewriter once again and write a piece for the magazine.
And then the Coronavirus pandemic unfolded – with Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson being among the first high-profile cases in the movie business. That, of course, didn’t stop one of Hollywood’s most optimistic figures. While quarantining in Australia, Hanks wrote an exclusive feature for the new issue of Empire all about his approach to Greyhound, and why war movies can ultimately be a source of hope. Read an extract from Hanks’ inspiring article below, and find the full piece in the Wonder Woman 1984 issue of Empire, on sale from Thursday 16 April. Read here for more info on picking up a copy while social distancing.
I DON’T DOUBT that the news of another World War II drama with my name on it will result in cries of, “What? Again? Why?”
I read history for more than entertainment to pass the time on a summer beach (or while I took ‘Shelter-In-Place’). I am an actor tasked by Shakespeare — who wrote the greatest historical narratives in literature — to hold the mirror up to human nature. Well-written history, be it the Bard’s Henry IV Parts One and Two or Eugene Sledge’s With The Old Breed: At Peleliu And Okinawa, is as authentic to the record of history as it is to the verities of human nature. These things happened to human beings who were just like us, placing soul-crushing stresses on folks who hoped to keep their families secure, pursue happiness, enjoy the results of their labour, and simply grow old and grow _up_. That is the stuff of timeless drama, free of any fog of nostalgia nor limited by genre.
In Michael Chabon’s most wonderful book, The Amazing Adventures Of Kavalier & Clay, a woman writes this love letter in the earliest days of The War: “I don’t know what is going to happen to you, to the country or the world. For all I know these words themselves are lying at the bottom of the sea.”
Stories from World War II are about the heartbreak and worries of I don’t know. In our production company Playtone’s mini-series and much of the non-fiction-based films I’ve done, the stasis of I don’t know is the personal challenge that can be met with common purpose, with some characters being demonstrably right and others being devastatingly wrong. Even in the best of times, in eras of peace and normalcy, heroes, villains and cowards all work their instincts. In stories of The War, as, I hope, in Greyhound, we see our current selves reflected on screen — of the choices each of us are forced to make in times of purpose and in periods of stasis.
It is the human condition to suffer Fate. How we live through that suffering is when we define our humanity, no?
Tom Hanks Archives • www.hanksarchives.com
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This fansite is owned and operated by Ali. This site is a non-profit fan resource only and is in no way affiliated with Tom Hanks or any of Mr. Hanks's representation. All images and text are for resource use only and are copyright to their owners. They are used for non-profit use in accordance with section 107 of the US Copyright Law. No infringement intended.
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Posted on April 3, 2012 by Harry Hix
Hitting non-lottery jackpot
Some people spend big bucks in hopes of hitting a lottery jackpot but don’t; others spend a few bucks with no thought of winning the lottery and hit a jackpot.
A toilet working at its gurgling best couldn’t have flushed money down the drain any more quickly and efficiently than the recent $640 million dollar lottery jackpot. Millions of dollars vanished, leaving unfilled fantasies which most of the dreamers never really believed would be realized.
However, in the last week two people with no hope or intent of hitting a jackpot forked over a few bucks at a thrift store and a garage sale and hit jackpots worth thousands, perhaps millions of dollars.
In Clintonville, OH, Zach Bodish visited a Volunteers of America thrift store and for $14.14 purchased a print he thought was a reproduction of a Picasso print. Why not? For less than 15 bucks he could have a “Picasso” to frame and put on the wall. It might be different for him, but many of my friends would be impressed if they saw a “Picasso” on my wall. Many would be surprised that I could spell Picasso, much less know who he was.
After buying the print, Bodish noticed in one corner there was a red signature. He did some research and concluded that he now owned an original artist proof. Jackpot!
“I started shaking a little bit,” he told the Columbus Dispatch. “I realized it wasn’t going to make me rich, but still, how often do you find a Picasso?”
About as often as most people win the lottery, Mr. Bodish.
Additional research validated the discovery and, according to news reports, the print could sell for up to $6,000 and double that in a gallery. The newspaper reported that Picasso created this piece in 1958 for an Easter exhibit of his ceramic work in southern France.
Bodish, who was laid off from his job two years ago and is currently looking for work, told the Dispatch, “There’s a good chance I’ll probably sell it. I want to keep it, but money is tight.”
Despite having hit the jackpot of owning an original Picasso, Bodish said he is not a true fan of the print. “I have to admit brown is not my favorite color,” he said.
Forget the brown, Mr. Bodish. Think green, the green it is worth to you. Going green is all the rage, you know.
As nice as Mr. Bodish’s jackpot is, it doesn’t match the one Andy Fields hit.
Fields, a businessman from Tiverton, England, visited a garage sale and for $5 bought a colorful sketch of the 1930s actor and singer Rudy Vallee. In the bottom right corner of the sketch is a signature—Andy Warhol.
That might be worth five bucks, right?
Turns out, you would have to put some zeroes behind the 5. The sketch has been authenticated as an illustration drawn by Warhol when he was 10 or 11 years old. It is an original and news accounts indicate it is valued in the low millions. Nice jackpot for someone who wasn’t playing the lottery in hopes of winning millions.
Believe it or not, Fields told reporters he does not intend to sell the artwork. Instead, he wants to put it on display in an exhibit.
I don’t buy lottery tickets, but I may have a better way of hitting a jackpot: my wife occasionally visits a thrift store or garage sale. Henceforth, on those rare occasions that I accompany her to a garage sale or thrift shop visit, I’m skipping the tools and books and taking a look at prints and sketches.
1 Response to For What It’s Worth
Can’t wait to hear what you find! 🙂
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‘MacGyver’ Live Stream: How to Watch Season 2 Without Cable
By Tim Keeney
Updated Oct 13, 2017 at 12:00pm
MacGyver Season 2 Promo (HD)A reimagining of the television series of the same name, following a 20-something MacGyver as he creates a clandestine organization where he uses his knack for solving problems in unconventional ways to help prevent disasters from happening. Subscribe for more MacGyver season 2 promos in HD! MacGyver official website: http://www.cbs.com/shows/macgyver/ Like MacGyver on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacGyverCBS…2017-09-16T16:02:06.000Z
Everyone’s favorite improviser, MacGyver, is back for a second season of the rebooted show this Fall, and even if you don’t have cable, it’s easy to watch a live stream of any episode online–be it on-demand or live.
Whether you want to watch any of the episodes from last season, catch up on already-aired episodes from Season 2 or watch new episodes live as they air, you can do any of that via CBS All Access, a cable-free, monthly subscription service that provides live access to CBS broadcasts and its entire library of shows.
It comes with a free trial, so you can try it out at no risk. You can sign up right here, or you can read or for a more thorough breakdown of everything you need to know:
CBS All Access: How to Sign Up
Here’s how to start a free trial:
1. Click here to go to the CBS All Access website
2. Click on “Try It Free” and then create an account
3. Select the subscription type you want (“Limited Commercials” is $5.99 per month and “Commercial Free” is $9.99 per month) and enter your payment information. If you cancel your subscription before the trial period ends (one week for “Limited Commercials” or two days for “Commercial Free”), you will not be charged
CBS All Access: Where Can You Watch?
Once signed up, there are a number of different ways you can watch the entire library of “MacGyver” episodes or new episodes live as they air:
Computer: Return to the CBS website and make sure you’re signed in. To watch any past episode, click on “Shows” at the top of the page, then “MacGyver.” To watch the show live as it airs, click on “Live TV” at the top of the page, then “CBS (Local Station).”
Apple Devices: You can click here to download the CBS app from the App Store. You can watch on your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV
Android Devices: You can click here to download the CBS app from the Google Play Store. You can watch on your Android smartphone, tablet or Android TV
Amazon Devices: You can click here to download the CBS app from the Amazon App Store. You can watch on your Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick
Roku: You can watch on your Roku by downloading the CBS All Access app on your device
Xbox One: You can watch on your Xbox One or Xbox 360 by downloading the CBS All Access app on your console
PlayStation 4: You can watch on your PS4 by downloading the CBS All Access app on your console
Alternate Option: Fubo TV
If you’re looking for an over-the-top streaming service that offers a handful of channels, Fubo TV is the cheapest that includes CBS (select markets; check if it’s live in your city). Note that with this option, you’ll only be able to watch live CBS and not the complete on-demand library of old episodes like with CBS All Access.
While the service is normally $39.99 per month, they are currently offering a deal that allows users to sign up for $19.99 per month for the first two months.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Total Channels Included: 71 (You can find the complete channel list here)
Price: $19.99 per month for first two months; $34.99 per month after that
Extras: Watch on two different devices at once; 30 hours of DVR is included
Free Trial: 7 days
How to Sign Up & Watch:
1. Click here to sign up and launch your free trial. You’ll need to enter your credit card information when signing up, but if you cancel your subscription before the trial ends, you won’t be charged
2. Return to the Fubo website to watch CBS on your computer. You can also watch on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Fubo app, which is free to download. A full list of compatible devices can be found here
Published Oct 13, 2017 at 12:00pm
CBS, Exclude, TV
Looking to watch any episode of MacGyver online? Here's a complete rundown of your options if you don't have cable.
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Kawhi Leonard’s Health: Will He Be Ready For The Season?
Updated Jul 18, 2018 at 11:44am
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski the Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs have agreed to a trade and will send Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors while DeMar DeRozan will be heading to the Spurs.
Outside of LeBron James signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, this is the biggest news to come out of the NBA off-season so far. Leonard gets the fresh start he was searching for while the Raptors get to shake up the roster that has become stagnant in the playoffs the last several years.
One thing that is uncertain about Leonard is his current health and his health going forward. Leonard was held to nine games the past season as he dealt with lingering health issues despite being cleared by team doctors.
The injury concerns date all the way back to the 2017 Western Conference Finals with the Spurs having a huge lead in Game 1 against the Warriors on the road. Leonard was forced out of the game in third quarter after landing awkwardly on Warriors center Zaza Pachulia, in what some have perceived to be a dirty play.
Fast forward to earlier this month and ESPN reported Leonard hid from the Spurs after the team tried to visit him in New York, where he was rehabbing from his injury. Here’s a quote from the podcast, via USA Today.
“There was a point during his rehab process in New York that some of the Spurs brass went out to see him in New York. As soon as those guys arrived to the building, Kawhi’s people grabbed him and sequestered him to another part of the building. And so the Spurs’ people couldn’t even see him. These are the types of things that are going on that people don’t necessarily know about.”
Kawhi Leonard has no desire to play in Toronto, league source tells ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 18, 2018
As far as the general public knows, Leonard is completely healthy and ready to play. Leonard did not want to be a member of the Spurs and it sounds like he doesn’t want to play with the Raptors either.
ESPN reports Leonard has “no desire” to play in Toronto so it’ll be interesting to see how this trade plays out. Leonard has spoken on his desire to play in Los Angeles so a trade to Toronto represents pretty much the furthest thing from the LA sun.
The Spurs have medically cleared Leonard to play and coach Gregg Popovich has put the decision to come back on Leonard himself. It sounds more like health was never the issue but instead a growing rift between Leonard and the team. It looks like that rift has reached its conclusion as Leonard will now look to start fresh with the Raptors.
Even Leonard’s teammates have taken not-so-subtle shots at Leonard, with Tony Parker saying his injury was the same as Leonard’s but a “hundred times worse.”
“I’ve been through it, Parker said. “It was a rehab for me for eight months. Same kind of injury (as Kawhi), but mine was a hundred times worse. But the same kind of injury. You just stay positive.”
With Leonard speaking about what teams he wanted to end up with, you can all but expect Leonard to suit up for game number one of then new NBA season, as long as he’s still not with the Spurs.
Published Jul 18, 2018 at 11:43am
Will Kawhi Leonard be ready for the new NBA season?
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'Harry Potter' stars
'Potter' TV reminder: 'Wizarding World' and 'Deathly Hallows' previewed
June 6, 2010 at 3:39 PM ET
Cheeser HPANA (via The Leaky Cauldron)
2010 mtv movie awards, harry potter and the half-blood prince, harry potter and the deathly hallows, wizarding world of harry potter, making of, preview, video, tv
It's a Potterpalooza on television tonight, starting with a 30-minute special on NBC, The Making of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at 7 p.m. EST / 8 p.m. PST.
Viewers will tour the immersive new land inspired by J.K. Rowling's compelling stories and characters, explore the corridors inside the majestic Hogwarts castle and wander the cobbled streets of Hogsmeade. Viewers will also be treated to exclusive cast commentary and a sneak peek at the authentic detail woven through the entire environment, as well as the area's new marquee attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, that will forever change the theme park attraction experience.
Then on the 2010 MTV Movie Awards at 9 p.m. ET, an exclusive clip from Deathly Hallows will be shown, and Half-Blood Prince is in the running for five awards, including Best Villain for Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy. (In an odd twist, Felton is up against Helena Bonham Carter for her portrayal of the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland. She, of course, also plays a well-known villian in Potter, Bellatrix Lestrange.)
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Human Interest Blog
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Why You Need to Invest Aggressively in Your Twenties
By Anisha Sekar - November 8, 2019
Millennials are way too conservative (well, financially speaking, at least). According to a Wall Street Journal analysis, twentysomethings’ most common money mistake is investing too conservatively, putting too much money into cash and bonds and not enough into equities. It’s understandable – between coming of age during the Great Recession, graduating into anemic job markets, and carrying record amounts of student loan debt, it’s no wonder that millennials are gun-shy about investing aggressively.
But while a low-risk portfolio produces better outcomes during a downturn, it’s a severe handicap in the long term. We’ll compare conservative and aggressive portfolios, discuss why your 20’s is the time to be bold (especially when it comes to your retirement accounts), and explain how to avoid common psychological pitfalls.
Back to basics: Comparing investment styles
First off, what does a “conservative” investing strategy look like, and what differentiates it from an “aggressive” one? An investment portfolio usually consists of a variety of financial vehicles, including money market funds, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), bonds, and stocks.
Money market funds and CDs are super-safe investments. CDs usually guarantee a yield (averaging 0.52% for one-year CDs in October 2019); money market returns hover in the low single digits but almost never lose money. Bonds are one step closer to risk: While they perform better than stocks during bear markets, they have much lower returns during boom years (think 5-6% for long-term government bonds). Finally, stocks are the most aggressive investment. Since 1990, the S&P 500 (considered a good indicator of U.S. stocks overall) varied wildly, from gaining 34% in 1995 to losing 38% in 2008.
A conservative investment portfolio is weighted towards bonds and money market funds, offering low returns but also very little risk. This is the kind of portfolio you’d want if you’re more scared of losing money than not making money – for example, if you’re retired and these funds are your sole source of income. Aggressive portfolios are heavily weighted towards stocks and are better for those who can handle a few bear markets in exchange for overall higher returns.
There’s variation within these two groups – for example, a swing-for-the-fences aggressive portfolio may feature high-growth, small-cap stocks, while a less risky aggressive portfolio may focus more on blue-chip stocks. And finally, a balanced portfolio is – you guessed it – a balance between conservative and aggressive mindsets.
So what do conservative, balanced, and aggressive returns look like? Vanguard took a look at the annual returns of all three groups from 1926 through 2018. Here’s a summary of their findings:
Portfolio type Avg. return Best return Worst return Years with loss (out of 93)
Most conservative (all bonds) 5.3% 32.6% -8.1% 14
Balanced (half bonds, half stocks) 8.2% 32.3% -22.5% 18
Most aggressive (all stocks) 10.1% 54.2% -43.1% 26
Basically, an aggressive portfolio gets you much better returns on average. On the other hand, you’re more likely to lose money and more likely to lose big.
Invest aggressively while you can
A conservative portfolio can seem enticing, especially if your first experience with finance was the 2007 stock market crash. After all, humans are programmed to hate losing more than we like winning. But when you’re in your 20’s, you have a long time until retirement and can afford to ride out downturns. In fact, here’s one allocation rule of thumb: Subtract your age from 100, and invest that percent of your portfolio in equities. For example, if you’re 25, 75% of your money should be in stock. There are two main reasons that young people should be bold investors.
Reason 1: You won’t need the money anytime soon
If you’re already retired and your 401(k)’s value plummets, you’re in a really tight spot (this is what happened during the Great Recession). But if retirement is decades away, an individual year’s gain or loss doesn’t matter. While stocks may bounce around more than cash or bonds, on average, they deliver much better results – and at this stage of your life, you care about maximizing the average return.
Reason 2: Small differences grow over time
You often hear the miracle of compound interest cited as a reason to contribute to your retirement funds as early as possible (and you should!). It also highlights the importance of maximizing the returns on those contributions – a conservative portfolio’s slight lag in performance becomes a massive gap as years go by.
Let’s say you’re 25 and plan to retire at 65. You want to contribute $5,000 annually towards your 401(k). Using a calculator, how would your contributions perform according to Vanguard’s historical averages?
Portfolio type Avg. return Money at age 65
Most conservative (all bonds) 5.3% $650,099
Balanced (half bonds, half stocks) 8.2% $1,365,441
Most aggressive (all stocks) 10.1% $2,273,988
Based on the averages, investing aggressively gives you over three times as much money to retire with compared to investing conservatively. Now, this doesn’t account for reallocation – as you get older and your retirement nears, you’ll want to shift your portfolio to more conservative investments to minimize risk – and averages aren’t guaranteed returns. But the difference is still striking, and a pretty compelling reason to focus heavily on equities so that your money grows as much as possible.
How can you get comfortable with aggressive investing?
Like we mentioned at the top, millennials have every right to be wary – the Great Recession’s impact still echoes through most of our bank accounts. According to the Wall Street Journal article, many people in their 20’s aren’t comfortable with their finances and go with conservative portfolios as the safe, default option. The article noted that, between the financial crisis and 9/11, twentysomethings are abnormally risk-averse. So how should you balance a fear of risk with a need for good returns?
Some consider replicating target-date funds
Target-date funds are mutual funds tailored to a certain retirement date – target-date 2060 funds are for people who aim to retire in 2060, target-date 2030 funds are for those who retire in 2030, and so on. A target-date 2050 fund, for example, would be aimed at twentysomethings and heavily weighted toward equities. A target-date 2020 fund would be geared toward older investors, and have a much more conservative allocation. A target-date fund for your projected retirement year is a shortcut to age-appropriate investing, though they have some shortcoming. They are focused only on your age but don’t consider other factors, such as how long you plan to work, your health, your risk tolerance, etc. Target-date funds also tend to have high management fees, so you may want to consider replicating a target-date fund’s basket rather than investing in one directly.
Keep calm and rebalance
A Fidelity analysis found that their most successful investors were those who forgot they had a Fidelity account – basically, the people who didn’t overreact to market movements. Avoid the stress of watching your portfolio rise and fall by setting up automatic rebalancing, and re-evaluating your allocation once every few years at most. In the long run, a laissez-faire approach gets much better results than constant adjustments to market conditions.
Remember you’re playing the long game
You aren’t investing for two or five years from now – you’re investing for your retirement in forty-plus years. Downturns and bull markets alike are blips on the radar; an age-appropriate portfolio allocation and regular contributions are what really matter. If you’re in your 20’s, don’t play it too safe – choose a portfolio allocation that puts your money to work.
Millennials may be investing far too conservatively when it comes to retirement accounts, but there’s some good news: they’re actively planning for their future retirements and they’re looking for a top 401(k). According to a survey from Transamerica:
70% of Millennials are already saving for retirement
2/3 of Millennials expect their primary retirement income source will be self-funded through retirement accounts
Like most of us, Millennials aren’t lazy…but want – and expect – a 401(k) plan offered by their employer will be digitally accessible, easy-to-use, and hassle-free.
What Millennials expect from their 401(k)s
If your business employs Millennials, it’s important to consider their expectations when it comes to retirement. When asked, 76 percent of millennials said that “retirement benefits offered by a prospective employer will be a major factor in their decision on whether to accept a future job offer.” In order to recruit and retain Millennial talent, employers must look for ways to provide a high-quality 401(k) that meets their employees’ needs. Start by looking for 401(k) plans that:
deliver a digital, easy-to-use interface for participants to manage their investments
provide access to informed advisors who offer personalized investment advice
vest immediately and offer low rates
If you’re looking for a great 401(k) for your employees, click here to request more information about Human Interest.
Image credit: Luis Llerena
Anisha Sekar
Anisha Sekar has written for U.S. News and Marketwatch, and her work has been cited in Time, Marketplace, CNN and more. A personal finance enthusiast, she led NerdWallet's credit and debit card business, and currently writes about everything from getting out of debt to choosing the best health insurance plan.
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The content in this blog post has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. Human Interest's investment advisory services are provided by Human Interest Advisors, LLC, an SEC-Registered Investment Adviser. Investing involves risk and may result in loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and expected returns may not reflect actual future performance.
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hfpuls » Rock » Steve Miller Band - Swingtown
Steve Miller Band - Swingtown Album
Performer: Steve Miller Band
Title: Swingtown
Cat#: ECR-20362
Label: Capitol Records
Steve Miller Band Japan Capitol Records Classic Rock 1977
1 Winter Time 3:12
2 Swingtown 3:25
6078 813 Steve Miller Band Swingtown (7") Mercury 6078 813 UK 1977
6078 813 Steve Miller Band Swingtown (7", Single) Mercury 6078 813 Australia 1977
P-4496 The Steve Miller Band Swingtown (7", Single, Mono, Promo) Capitol Records P-4496 US 1977
45-70028 The Steve Miller Band Pueblo Ritmico = Swingtown (7") Mercury 45-70028 Ecuador 1977
PRO-8725, PROMO 4496 The Steve Miller Band Swingtown (7", Single, Mono, Promo) Capitol Records, Capitol Records PRO-8725, PROMO 4496 Canada 1977
Japanese issue with picture/lyric insert & generic Toshiba EMI company sleeve.
from THE LP "BOOK OF DREAMS" Sailor Music
Price Code: ¥600
Matrix / Runout (A label): S45-93919
Matrix / Runout (B label): S-93920-A
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sailor Productions
Manufactured By – Toshiba EMI Ltd
Swingtown - Steve Miller Band. Лента с персональными рекомендациями и музыкальными новинками, радио, подборки на любой вкус, удобное управление своей коллекцией. Swingtown is a 1977 hit song by the Steve Miller Band. It was their third and final single release from their Book of Dreams album, and became the second biggest hit from the LP. Swingtown reached No. 17 on the U. Billboard Hot 100 and spent two weeks at No. 13 on the Cash Box Hot 100. It also peaked at No. 13 on the Canadian pop chart. Текст песни: Ooo oooohhhh Ooo oooohhhh Come on and dance, come on and dance Lets make some romance. Steve Miller Band. Serenade - Продолжительность: 3:13 Steve Miller Band Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1967-8 in San Francisco, California, USA. The band features Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals, and is known for a string of mainly mid-1970s hit singles that continue to be staples of the classic rock radio format. Steve Miller born 5 October 1943 is a blues and rock and roll guitarist and performer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but attended high school in Dallas. While at St. Mark's School of Texas, he formed his first band, The Marksmen. Miller taught one of his classmates, Royce Boz Scaggs, a few guitar c read more. The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1966 in San Francisco, California. The band is led by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals. The group is best known for a string of mainly mid- to late-1970s hit singles that are staples of classic rock radio, as well as several earlier psychedelic rock albums. Miller left his first band to move to San Francisco and form the Steve Miller Blues Band. Shortly after Harvey Kornspan negotiated the bands contract with Capitol Records in 1967. Steve Miller Band-Song For Our Ancestors. Steve Miller Band-LT's Midnight Dream. Steve Miller Band-True Fine Love. Steve Miller Band-Space Intro. Steve Miller Band-Children Of The Future The Beauty Of Time. Ooo oooohhhh Ooo oooohhhh Come on and dance, come on and dance We may not get another chance You know the night is fallin' And the music's callin' And we've got to get down to Swingtown. Submit Corrections. Writers: Steve Miller. The Steve Miller Band Lyrics. album: Book Of Dreams 1977. Jet Airliner. Winter Time. True Fine Love. Wish Upon A Star. Jungle Love. Steve Miller Band Swingtown. Oh-oh-oh-oh Oh-oh-oh-oh Come on and dance, come on and dance Let's make some romance You know the night is fallin' and the music's callin' And we've got to get down to Swingtown. We've been workin' so hard We've been workin' so hard Come on baby, come on baby, let's dance C'mon, c'mon, c'mon C'mon, c'mon, c'mon C'mon, c'mon, c'mon. Oh-oh-oh-oh Oh-oh-oh-oh Come on and dance, come on and dance We may not get another chance You know the night is fallin. Steve Miller Band Format: Vinyl. Greatest Hits 1974-78. Please retry. Includes FREE MP3 version of this album. Terms and Conditions. Does not apply to gift orders. Complete your purchase to save the MP3 version to your music library. Frequently bought together. Total price:
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Steve Miller Band - Book Of Dreams
Steve Miller Band - The Very Best Of The Steve Miller Band
The Steve Miller Band - Book Of Dreams
Steve Miller Band - Wide River
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Why some countries have more than one name? [closed]
Closed. This question needs to be more focused. It is not currently accepting answers.
Want to improve this question? Update the question so it focuses on one problem only by editing this post.
I know Persian Language, In persian (Farsi) that is an old language we call Netherlands “Holland” , call Germany "Alman", Call Poland "Lahestan", call India "Hend" and etc.
What is the reason and Why these countries have more than one name?
language iran toponymy
Mohammad KermaniMohammad Kermani
There is no single reason. Instead, different countries have acquired different names due to a range of different reasons. For example, the Netherlands is called Holland, because Holland is its most famous and important province. Germany is called Almain after the Germanic Alemanni tribe. I suggest focusing on the names of a single country to make this question less overwhelmingly broad. – Semaphore♦ Aug 15 '14 at 10:22
Did you do any research before posting? Possible overlap Not strictly a duplicate, but related. Overlap2 – Mark C. Wallace♦ Aug 15 '14 at 10:49
in case of the Netherlands, it's stupid ignorance (including sadly on the part of a lot of Dutch people). – jwenting Aug 15 '14 at 12:03
The question might not be "too broad," now that I have narrowed the focus to "these" countries. – Tom Au Aug 15 '14 at 13:34
I will answer the part of your question about these four specific names. The Persian names for Holland and Germany are recent borrowings from French. Lehestān is borrowed from Turkish and derives from the name of the Lendians, a Slavic tribe who once lived in what is now Poland. Hend is an Arabicised form of Middle Persian hindūg, Old Persian hindū-, Sanskrit sindhu-, the ancient name of the province now known as Sindh.
fdbfdb
There are many Geo political reasons for that. Most of the other names are kept by other countries. India is called India (from Indus) because British kept it. Its called Hindustan (Land of Hindus) because Arabs kept it. Germans call their country Deutschland but internationally it is called as Germany. It is the same as we have synonyms in any language for a word. If you consider Japan, they call it Nippon meaning Land of rising sun. So these different meanings give a country multiple names.
Shreemay PanhalkarShreemay Panhalkar
34922 gold badges33 silver badges88 bronze badges
Historically, every country had many different names - what they called themselves, and what others called them. Conquerors came and said "This is now SomethingLand" while the people who lived there were already calling it "OurIsland" in their language or "LandOfTrees" in their language or whatever. [There is a claim that "Canada" comes from an Iroquoian word for "the village" because someone asked a guide "what do you call all of this place?" - it might not be true though.] Some folks called their neighbours Outsiders and their homes Outside, while those outsiders called themselves something different.
These days we're usually polite and call countries what they want to be called. But even that can be complicated. There is the province thing (this gives you not only Holland for the Netherlands, but England for the UK) but there is also the matter of abbreviations. Do you say the US or the USA or America?
In the end, there are a number of different words for "the Netherlands" in 10 different languages for exactly the same reason there are a number of different words for "cat" or "contract." They are different languages.
Kate GregoryKate Gregory
Some countries have a "second" name that is derived from its most famous state or province. For instance, "Holland" is the most famous province of the Netherlands, Farsi (Persia) of Iran, etc. "Schweiz" or "Switzerland" is the most famous state of a country whose official name is the "Confederation of Helvetia."
"Germany," in its English form, was named after a group of "Germans," as was Aleman (Alemani). But the country's "real" name, in its native language, is "Deutschland."
Tom AuTom Au
...which confuses a lot of us English speakers because we call people who live in the Netherlands "Dutch", so logically if we were to call anywhere "Dutch-land" it would be Holland, not Germany. – T.E.D.♦ Aug 15 '14 at 16:08
The English designation of the people of the Netherlands as "Dutch" is an old, but established error. – fdb Aug 15 '14 at 20:35
A lot of variation in country names is based on translations. For instance, "Netherlands" means "Low Countries" and is called, in French, "Pays-Bas" which has the same meaning, but looks significantly different. It shall be noted that the United Nations has six official languages into which most UN documents are translated; therefore, though each UN member decides on its own name, it has to provide (at least) six variants for these six languages. Since these languages use widely different signs, one of them (Chinese) being non-alphabetic, a country cannot, logically, have a single official name valid worldwide.
Beyond translations, it so happens that countries may change names, and the new name is not necessarily adopted immediately and worldwide. For instance, in 1989, Burma changed its name to "Republic of the Union of Myanmar", shortened to "Myanmar", but many countries refused to recognize the legitimacy of the government of Burma (a military dictatorship), hence its ability to change the formal name of the country. As a UN member, the official English version of the country name is still "Myanmar", but "Burma" remains in wide usage in some other countries. For instance, this official document from the Australian government can be seen to use both "Burma" and "Myanmar" as country name, sometimes switching within the same paragraph with no explanation.
Country names have a huge symbolic value and can lead to interferences with and from other countries. Case in point: Macedonia (in the UN, Macedonia is known as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", a name which is officially "provisional" and has been so for more than two decades).
Thomas PorninThomas Pornin
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Why all the sniping at single women – are they having too much fun?
Written by Fr. Michael CampionPosted on May 12, 2018 Leave a comment
From Hannah Jane Parkinson in The Guardian, 12 May 2018:
All the single ladies, all the single ladies, all the single ladies, now put your hands up! Because you ruin absolutely everything and deserve to be called out. Endlessly, and around the world. The latest example is Kanji Kato, a Japanese MP who has called single women a “burden on the state”. Annoyingly, there is a grain of truth in this, if the single women are childless, as ageing populations put pressure on national health services, including our own NHS.
In the past, globally, when people tended to have more children, those children cared for their parents and other older relatives. But in many countries that trend is declining, requiring medical professionals, nurses and retirement homes to bridge the care gap. But it never seems to be the case that politicians pipe up about single, childless men, who also grow old and need care, and who, in their youth, are deified as ambitious or approved of as charming, roguish scamps. It’s women who, in the words of another Japanese politician, are the “birth-giving machines”, and any who choose not to have children, or who can’t, are deemed to be malfunctioning.
But hey, single women have become used to this attitude, alongside the millennial generation, who are also responsible for everything bad or depressing. Single women are making everyone feel awkward (particularly the entire global tabloid press if that woman is Jennifer Aniston). Their need for babies is forcing the rest of us to pay for them with our taxes and provide IVF on the NHS (a move that “casts doubt on the government’s family-friendly credentials”, according to the Telegraph). Apparently, single women are also responsible for men who go on murdering sprees because they had the indecency to reject them.
It’s amazing that single women have the audacity to roam about in daylight, as if they were, in fact, not single and therefore normal. A favourite series of articles of mine on this subject are titled along the lines of: Avoid the Mistakes Single Women Make, which include (really) “being shortsighted about life”, “falling down on the job of life” and “giving up and caving in” .
It’s not really a new thing, viewing single women as freaks. Remember that Bridget Jones quote, when she is asked why so many women in their 30s are single? “I don’t know. I suppose it doesn’t help that underneath our clothes, our entire bodies are covered in scales.”
Single women deserve a break. Especially because it’s actually society that is ruining everything for single women. There is the extortionate cost of renting alone, or forking out double the cost when you holiday solo, then having to watch couples coo at origami swan napkins while they demand you take photos of them. There is trying to pretend that other people’s babies don’t all look the same. Or, for single women who have children, having to deal with society’s raised eyebrows.
A , mostly because they are not tied down with the emotional and domestic labour that comes with being a woman in a (heterosexual) relationship. It probably also has something to do with the fact that nobody can veto your Netflix choices if you’re the only one making them, and not being dragged along to a partner’s work do. Could these snide asides at single women just be the politics of envy?
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Hong Kong Election 2016: Triumph for pro-democracy newcomers as opposition camp maintains veto power
by Kris Cheng 10:04, 5 September 2016 20:30, 31 March 2020
In a record turnout of 58 per cent, the highest since 2004, some 2.2 million voters cast their votes in Sunday’s Legislative Council election – perhaps the most important poll since the 2014 pro-democracy Occupy protests.
As of 9:30am, 90 per cent of the geographical constituencies’ votes have been counted and announced. Most winners are already known.
For up-to-date results, please click here.
The opposition camp, including pan-democrats, localists and three who advocate self-determination for Hong Kong’s future, are set to win at least 18 seats in the geographical constituency, maintaining a minimum veto power to reject motions, bills and amendments to government bills proposed by fellow lawmakers. The results for the district council (second) functional constituency and other functional constituencies have yet to be announced, but the opposition camp is likely to win more than 24 seats in total, maintaining another vital veto power to block bills such as the controversial political reform package.
Nathan Law.
But the result was not without surprises. New faces won seats by a large margin in their first campaigns. Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, an independent candidate who focused his campaign on fairness of land use in the New Territories, will win with the highest number of votes compared to all – over 70,000.
Chu opined that the suspension of Ken Chow Wing-kan’s campaign – after allegations that he had received pressure from a “powerful force outside Hong Kong” – was a turning point for Chu’s own campaign. It allowed voters to understand the seriousness of what he called collusion between the government, business, rural groups and triads.
He broke into tears at the central counting station in Tung Chung, where vote counting is still ongoing.
Chu Hoi-dick. Photo: Chu Hoi-dick.
Occupy protest leader Nathan Law Kwun-chung finished second in the Hong Kong Island constituency, with more than 42,000 votes. Law broke the record by becoming the youngest lawmaker in the legislature – formerly held by Democratic Party’s James To Kun-sun, who was 28 when he won in 1991. Law is 23.
Paul Zimmerman on the results pic.twitter.com/wDaVx2wpKx
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) September 4, 2016
Occupy protester Lau Siu-lai, a tertiary education institute lecturer, is winning by more than 32,000 votes, despite becoming embroiled in controversy on the last day before the election. She had to retract a promotional campaign for her universal pension scheme, claiming that no financial support from the public was needed. She apologised to voters.
Localist first timers, Youngspiration’s Sixtus “Baggio” Leung Chun-hang and Civic Passion’s Cheng Chung-tai, will also win seats in the legislature.
Civic Passion’s Cheng Chung-tai, who’s likely winning a seat, cheered by supporters pic.twitter.com/EanKDtpCbN
However, their success was possibly at the expense of some older veteran lawmakers. Labour Party long-term lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan failed to get the last seat of their constituencies and has conceded defeat. He finished one place behind newcomer pro-Beijing candidate Junius Ho Kwan-yiu.
Meanwhile, it was still unclear whether it will be League of Social Democrats radical lawmaker “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, or independent candidate Christine Fong Kwok-shan, who will win the last seat in the New Territories East constituency. With 90 per cent of the results in, Fong was leading Leung by 75 votes, as they were both around 30,000 votes.
Junius Ho. Photo: Junius Ho.
But the tightest margin was a race between Raymond Wong Yuk-man – a godfather figure who founded and left two pro-democracy parties before settling with his own Proletariat Political Institute – and localist Youngspiration newcomer Yau Wai-ching.
Wong lost to Yau in the Kowloon West constituency by merely 424 votes, as Wong got 20,219 and Yau got 20,643 votes, in a result reported by Apple Daily.
Yau Wai-ching. Photo: Youngspiration.
For pro-democracy parties, the Association for Democracy and People’s Livelihood and the Neo Democrats took the largest blow – none of their candidates are set to win. The Labour Party only won one seat with Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung in New Territories East. People Power’s Ray Chan Chi-chuen also retained his seat.
Localist parties saw a mixed bag of results. Youngspiration won two out of three seats they were contesting; Civic Passion and an alliance it formed with Raymond Wong and Dr Chin Wan-kan only managed to win one out of five. Chan Chak-to, a candidate who publicly advocated Hong Kong independence, lost by a large margin in the Kowloon East constituency.
Chan Chak-to was disappointed by result, as many switched to other hopefuls; will reform his group w new volunteers pic.twitter.com/esVmGeigYA
Chan told HKFP that he was disappointed with the result, and that it may be due to voters strategically giving him up in order to get other opposition camp candidates elected.
“I got fewer votes than I expected, which I thought was due to that reason [strategic voters]… I believe it was not because I did not campaign well,” he said.
The pro-Beijing camp maintained seats for most incumbent lawmakers running for re-election, except Federation of Trade Unions’ Bill Tang Ka-piu in New Territories East. They won 16 seats in the geographical constituency.
See also: Photocopied IDs, sample ballots, free rides, and 186 complaints.
The election was not without controversy. At a polling station in Tai Koo Shing, voting was only completed by 2:30am – four hours after the official closing time of 10:30pm, when more than a thousand people were still in line as election officials set up an end point.
Photo: Nathan Law, via Facebook.
Polling stations were transformed into counting stations after the poll ended. Some stations on Hong Kong Island had begun counting before voting at Tai Koo Shing was completed – the Electoral Affairs Commission then demanded counting stop until voting was complete.
Barnabas Fung, the commission’s chairman, claimed that the effect of the premature counting on the Tai Koo Shing voters was “non-essential and unable to affect the fairness of the election” as only up to 6,000 people voted at the station, out of Hong Kong island’s 370,000.
But he apologised to voters for the long queue at the Tai Koo Shing station, admitting that the commission was unable to book another venue nearby.
Electoral Affairs Commission chairman Barnabas Fung Wah. File photo: Stand News.
In the Sheung Tak constituency in Tseung Kwan O, counting agents complained that after two counts, both the number of votes in the geographical constituency and the functional constituency ballot boxes were exactly 300 ballot papers higher than they should have been.
Many voters have also complained that their votes were “used” by someone else, as they were told by polling station officers that they could not receive their ballots.
See also: Hong Kong Free Press among digital media denied access to observe vote count.
Another controversy involved voters using photocopies of identity cards to receive their ballots – the Electoral Affairs Commission later said that photocopies were not allowed, but voters could use documents other than the Hong Kong identity card.
As of 5am on Monday, Fung said it had received 2,200 complaints, with 700 relating to election ads, and some 500 on voter eligibility.
Tagged: 2016 LegCo Elections, Cheng Chung-tai, Eddie Chu, Leung Kwok-hung, Nathan Law
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Hong Kong Bar Assoc. axes its Peking University legal course after two members barred from teaching
by Catherine Lai 16:38, 27 August 2018 22:13, 31 March 2020
The chair of Hong Kong’s Bar Association has said that the group will no longer offer a legal course at Peking University after the school barred two members from teaching.
Over the past eight years, the professional organisation has offered a course on common law to students at the Beijing-based school. It aims to provide mainland students with an opportunity to learn about the spirit of the rule of law and the Hong Kong legal system.
Chairman Philip Dykes said in a letter to the association’s members on Monday that the university abruptly changed its mind about his visit in May, after he requested a letter of invitation for his visa application.
Philip Dykes. File photo: HKFP/Kris Cheng.
He said the invitation was sent to the Bar Secretariat, “but, within a day or two, a phone call from the university gave the message that I must not come.”
“No explanation was given for the volte face,” Dykes wrote, referring to the rejection.
Dykes said the reason for his visit was so he could attend the course’s closing sessions and get to the bottom of the university’s rejection of two members who had taught the sessions on public law in previous years. He said a university official had phoned to say that they objected to the members teaching the 2018 session.
“The PU [Peking University] course has been running for several years. Successive BC’s [Bar Councils] and the PU have considered it a success and there was no reason to think that the 2018 course would be different,” Dykes wrote.
“Past Chairmen had attended the closing sessions before and so there was a precedent for me going up.”
The common law course at Peking University. Photo: HKBA.
He said the Bar Council – the association’s governing body – found the rejections to be “unacceptable,” and decided that the common law course should be suspended indefinitely.
Dykes said he did not immediately reveal the news of the rejections as he did not want Peking University students visiting Hong Kong for the course to be distracted or embarrassed.
See also: Interview: Barrister Philip Dykes says rising voices against judicial review will harm Hong Kong’s rule of law
He added that he plans to lead a delegation to a legal services forum in Guangzhou in early September. The forum is organised by the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council.
Dykes was elected head of the Bar Council this year after a surprise victory against incumbent chair Paul Lam. Dykes previously headed the Council in 2005 and 2006.
HKFP has contacted Peking University for comment.
Tagged: Hong Kong Bar Association, Peking University, Philip Dykes
Catherine Lai
Catherine is a Canadian journalist and photographer who lived in Beijing for almost two years, working in TV and online media. Aside from Hong Kong and mainland affairs, she is also interested in urban spaces, art and feminism. She holds a BA in Literature and Art History from the University of British Columbia.
More by Catherine Lai
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‘Gender pay gap’ reporting isn’t fit for purpose
JULIAN JESSOP
Institute of Economic Affairs > Blog > Policies > Labour Market
Few can have failed to notice that UK companies with 250 or more employees are now obliged to report specific figures about their ‘gender pay gap’. Supporters argue that the data are helping to expose the disadvantages that many women face in the workplace. In my view, though, the system is failing.
For a start, the data are frequently misunderstood and misrepresented. Variations in hourly wages or bonuses between men and women are often interpreted – wrongly – as evidence of different pay for the same work. This sort of discrimination would, of course, be illegal. It would presumably be uneconomic too; if women were indeed willing to do the same work for less money, they would surely be over-represented in the highest paying jobs.
This isn’t just what critics are saying. The ONS has made a similar point when describing the national data. In its words, ‘the gender pay gap figures … do not show differences in rates of pay for comparable jobs, as they are affected by factors such as the proportion of men and women working part-time or in different occupations’.
Some suggest that this does not matter. For example, Richard Murphy has argued that the gender pay gap data are not supposed to address equal pay for equal work, but are ‘about precisely why women are not offered the same job opportunities as men, and so are paid less as a result’. Elsewhere, Ben Chu has suggested that ‘when it comes to various dimensions of equality in the workplace, some information is better than no information’.
I’d take issue with both. One problem is that the data do almost always seem to be interpreted as evidence of unfairness in pay. The misleading ‘#PayMeToo’ hashtag is simply an extreme example of this. But even a decent FT article on the gender pay gap was headlined ‘how women are short-changed in the UK’, and reported that ‘almost 90 per cent of women still work for companies that pay them less than male colleagues’. ‘Short-changed’? ‘Colleagues’? It is hard to escape the conclusion that women are earning less for the same work.
Unhelpfully, the government is encouraging firms to report aggregate data in the form of ‘women earn x% less than men’. This reinforces the impression of discrimination. As the ONS again says, ‘there is not one single measure that adequately deals with the complex issue of gender pay differences’, so why pretend that these reports can do this?
What’s more, even if correctly interpreted, the raw data are simply too crude. My colleague Kate Andrews has already pointed out many of the flaws. For example, firms are not required to distinguish between full-time and part-time employees. This is important, because hourly rates for full-time employment tend to be higher than for part-time. A substantial ‘gender pay gap’ may therefore simply reflect different patterns of working, with women more likely to work part time.
Of course, some would see this as evidence of discrimination. Richard Murphy, like many campaigners, seems to take it for granted that any difference in outcomes is a result of differences in opportunities, rather than choices freely made. But we simply cannot tell that from the data. Indeed, evidence that fails to fit this narrative is typically ignored. ONS data show that that women working part-time are actually paid more per hour, on average, than men.
The ONS has also done work suggesting that only 36% of the full-time gender pay gap can be explained by a particular set of factors that included occupation. Some have interpreted this to mean that the other 64% is a measure of discrimination. But this would be wrong, as the ONS itself says. Crucially, the factors quantified by the ONS did not include family structures, caring responsibilities, education and career breaks. These are factors that may also vary by gender but are not necessarily due to discrimination.
This is my response to Ben Chu’s point too. Normally, I’m also in favour of more information rather than less, especially where this may expose problems and encourage debate. Gender discrimination may well be one factor that explains why there are fewer women in higher-paid jobs. Nonetheless, the gender pay gap data are a poor way of measuring this.
That might not matter so much, of course, if the additional data did not come with additional costs. But they may actually make things worse. For example, they may encourage outsourcing of lower-paid jobs which happen to be taken by women (to avoid inclusion in a firm’s own return). They might deter the recruitment of women for initially lower-paid jobs, such as technical apprenticeships, that might be the gateway to higher pay in future.
Gender pay gap reporting may also lead to positive discrimination that unfairly penalises men and creates resentment towards women, including those who have advanced purely on merit. The relentless media coverage suggesting that the deck is stacked against working women may discourage others. And the administrative burden on employers is magnified by the additional work required to justify gender pay gaps that have entirely legitimate explanations.
Ideally, then, I’d argue that the gender pay gap reporting should be rolled back. Dropping them completely may not be realistic. But the government could reduce the frequency of reporting, currently annually, perhaps to once every five years. This would cut the compliance burden and discourage short-term measures to manipulate the data. In the meantime, the government should refocus on tackling the disadvantages that some women undoubtedly face – such as the availability of affordable childcare – rather than demonising employers.
In summary, the gender pay gap data are so widely misinterpreted that they add little value, and may even create new problems. They might have the potential to become a valuable tool in tackling the discrimination that still exists. For now, though, they seem to be generating more heat than light.
Julian Jessop is an independent economist with over thirty years of experience gained in the public sector, City and consultancy, including senior positions at HM Treasury, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank and Capital Economics. He was Chief Economist and Head of the Brexit Unit at the IEA until December 2018 and continues to support our work, especially schools outreach, on a pro bono basis.
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‘Voluntary’ worker certification is occupational licensing by stealth
France gives us an idea of what a fully renationalised railway sector would look like
Paul Withrington, R.I.P.
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HomeEducationBiotechnology Executive named College of Natural Sciences 2020 Alumnus of the Year
Biotechnology Executive named College of Natural Sciences 2020 Alumnus of the Year
2 weeks ago EducationFeaturedno comment
Paul Naik (biology and chemistry, ’90), a top executive for biotechnology company Seattle Genetics, has been named the Cal State San Bernardino College of Natural Sciences Alumnus of the Year.
The honor, which is the college’s highest alumni award, recognizes professional and scientific achievements of former students, showcasing how they have leveraged their undergraduate education to positively impact the world and enrich lives.
Naik currently serves as senior vice president for intellectual property and deputy general counsel for the Seattle-based company that develops antibody-based cancer treatments. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Naik went on to secure a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from UC San Francisco, a doctoral degree in law from Harvard Law School, and a Master of Laws degree from King’s College in London.
As a CSUSB student, he was named the university’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student in 1990. The College of Natural Sciences Office of the Dean is working with Naik to have him speak to students virtually in February, with a finalized date to be announced shortly.
“I am extremely pleased by this wonderful opportunity to recognize an alumnus who has successfully applied his scientific education and training to propel medical breakthroughs and help ease suffering and save human lives,” said Sastry G. Pantula, dean of the College of Natural Sciences. “I am also excited about our plans to have Paul speak to our students about the infinite career opportunities for science majors.”
In a videotaped message he recorded for College of Natural Sciences graduates, Naik credited “the mentorship and guidance that [he] received from dedicated members of the faculty” for laying the foundation for his future successes.
“My Cal State degree started me on a path toward and enabled me to be a contributing member of the exciting new world of biotechnology,” he said. “Over the past more than two decades, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand on a daily basis basic scientific knowledge being transformed into life-saving medicines. And even better, I’ve had the opportunity, with the scientific training I have, to contribute in a meaningful way to this endeavor.”
“Without question, none of this would have been a possibility without the training I received, starting at Cal State San Bernardino.”
Prior to working at Seattle Genetics, Naik practiced patent law, taught biotechnology law as an adjunct professor, and was frequently involved with biotechnology intellectual property policy issues, including serving as an invited speaker at the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s First Bicoastal Biotechnology, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Customer Partnership meeting in 2014.
He also worked in various corporate capacities, including most recently serving as vice president of intellectual property and litigation as well as deputy chief patent officer, over a period of about 16 years at Genentech, Inc., a biotechnology firm that develops and manufactures medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening conditions, such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.
In his videotaped message, Naik congratulated CNS graduates, describing them as being part of a select group of people equipped “with the scientific awareness, skills, and knowledge to contribute in a meaningful way in a world where science and technology increasingly plays a vital role.”
For more information about CSUSB’s degree programs in biology and chemistry, visit the Department of Biology homepage and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry homepage.
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Inland Empire Business Journal
The Inland Empire Business Journal (IEBJ) is the official business news publication of Southern California’s Inland Empire region - covering San Bernardino & Riverside Counties.
Ontario International Airport: Optimism for 2021 after a challenging 2020
Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce Hosts Annual Economic Forecast on January 14.
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Manchester, UK electro-pop duo Theo Hutchcraft and Adam Anderson. Formed in 2009, elegant and enigmatic HURTS have their sharp suits, slick hair and stark visuals. Theo and Adam present a striking contrast to the glow-in-the-dark pop stars who have run amok across the charts of late. Looking like they would rather be on the cover of Vogue Hommes than NME or Smash Hits, the pair resemble Tears For Fears as shot by Anton Corbijn. Hurts have recently released their first single "Better Than Love" and toured the UK and Europe during the summer of 2010. Before HURTS, singer Theo and synthesiser Adam were in bands Bureau and Daggers, the latter of which supported Gary Numan. However, on a trip to Italy, they discovered "disco-lento" (slow disco) and became fixed on a more austere, and stylish, European aesthetic and Hurts was born. Musically, they construct melancholic 1980s-inspired electro-pop with songs that they say are inspired by the British mentality of being "not too bad". "How are you doing? Not too bad. For a while you think that's not very interesting," Theo once said. "But it can be very interesting because it's on a knife-edge of hope and despair." In August of 2010, Hurts' debut full-length album, Happiness, debuted at number four on the U.K. albums chart, selling over 25,000 copies in its first week, making it the fastest selling album by a band in the U.K. that year. Featuring the singles "Better Than Love," "Wonderful Life," and "Stay," among others, the album was huge success across Europe and Hurts' profile rose exponentially. Several accolades followed in 2010 including topping the BBC's Sound of 2010 poll, winning a German BAMBI award, and garnering an MTV Europe Music Award nomination. The following year, Hurts earned more public support after a playing a high-profile slot at the Glastonbury Festival. The performance was well-received and was even voted best of the festival by NME readers. Also that year, the band headlined their first European tour which culminated with a concert at London's Brixton Academy with special guest Kylie Minogue. In December of 2012, in anticipation of the band's next album and in keeping with the band’s tradition of releasing stylish, immaculately directed videos, Hurts released a long-form promotional video for the song "The Road," which itself was inspired by Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name and J.G. Ballard's novel Crash. Hurts followed up in 2013 by releasing their sophomore album, Exile. Featuring production from Hutchcraft and Anderson, along with Quant and Dan Grech-Marguerat, Exile showcased a nuanced, somewhat more contemporary sound that incorporated more orchestral and rock instrumentation, yet retained all of Hurts' core new wave and Krautrock influences.
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Hope trend continues, says Kejriwal as cases, positivity rate dip in Delhi
At the same time, the government has also drawn up a plan, in accordance with the latest guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, to allow at least 50 per cent of its employees to work from home until December 31.
By: Express News Service | New Delhi | Updated: November 29, 2020 10:40:20 am
"Hope this trend continues. Delhiites and Delhi govt together will win over this third wave also. Please continue to observe all precautions," Kejriwal tweeted. (File photo)
With the city recording 4,998 cases with less than 7 per cent positivity rate for the first time in November, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday said the national capital was on course to tide over the third wave of infections if the trend holds.
At the same time, the government has also drawn up a plan, in accordance with the latest guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, to allow at least 50 per cent of its employees to work from home until December 31. The plan has received the approval of Lt-Governor Anil Baijal.
According to Saturday’s medical bulletin, 69,051 tests were conducted, out of which 33,147 were done through the more reliable RT-PCR method while 35,904 were rapid tests. The case positivity rate stood at 7.24 per cent, while 89 more people succumbed to the virus.
Delhi has so far recorded 561,742 cases and 8,998 deaths.
There have previously been four days this month when the capital recorded below 5,000 cases. However, on November 1, when Delhi recorded 4,001 cases, the positivity rate was 10.91 per cent; on November 14, 3,235 cases came up with a positivity rate of 15.33 per cent; 3,797 cases on November 15 with a positivity rate of 12.73 per cent; and 4,454 cases with a positivity rate of 11.94 per cent on November 22.
“Hope this trend continues. Delhiites and Delhi govt together will win over this third wave also. Please continue to observe all precautions,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Health Minister Satyendar Jain, meanwhile, told reporters that the situation in hospitals has improved, with more than 9,500 beds being available, out of which 1,200 are ICU beds.
“At present, more than 50 per cent beds are available in hospitals. Total beds available are more than 9,500. The occupancy rate is therefore steadily decreasing. In terms of ICU beds, more than 1,200 are available,” Jain said.
According to a revenue department plan, government employees ranked below Grade 1, which form the bulk of the staff strength of the administration, will be allowed to work from home until December 31.
The Head of Departments have been tasked with preparing the roster of employees to execute the plan. However, the plan will not be applicable on employees attached with emergency services such as health, civil defence, water supply, among others.
As part of the proposed guidelines, the government will also request private establishments to implement staggered timings and allow employees to work from home as far as possible.
The Delhi Metro has also been urging the government to enforce staggered timings in offices to tackle passenger rush during peak hours.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
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Dr. Kate Mulligan
Director of Policy and Communications, Alliance for Healthier Communities & Assistant Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
equity-focused health communication, public health communications, race-based data, health equity, health equity, social determinants of health, social prescribing, community health, health policy, public health, climate change and health, government
Faculty profile: https://www.dlsph.utoronto.ca/faculty-profile/mulligan-kate/
Why collecting race-based data during the coronavirus pandemic is a matter of life and death
When it comes to health-care in Canada, the federal government doesn’t collect race-based data at all. With people of colour in the UK and the U.S. dying from COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates, health equity advocates are sounding the alarm: without this data, it’s nearly impossible to know who the pandemic is hurting most and how to help them.
Better Health Care through Innovation
TVO The AgendaTelevision
URL: https://www.tvo.org/video/better-health-care-through-innovation
Solving HealthcareRadio/Podcast
URL: https://solving-healthcare-with-dr-kwadwo-kyeremanteng.simplecast.com/episodes/covid-19-race-outcomes-with-dr-kate-mulligan
CBC Metro MorningRadio/Podcast
URL: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-39/clip/15747238
Metro Morning - Nov. 19, 2019: A doctor's prescription for social activities can have great personal and public health benefits
CBC Metro Morning, July 23, 2020Radio/Podcast
Metro Morning July 23, 2020 - Why is COVID-19 spreading among young people? One expert says it's because of poor messaging
Anti-Black racism has created a public health crisis
Toronto.comPrint
URL: https://www.toronto.com/opinion-story/10035499-anti-black-racism-has-created-a-public-health-crisis-/
Prescriptions are for more than just drugs. Ontario Health Teams should use ‘social prescribing’ to improve our health and wellbeing.
Healthy DebateOnline
URL: https://healthydebate.ca/opinions/social-prescribing-2020
Race-based health data urgently needed during the coronavirus pandemic
The Conversation Canada, April 30, 2020Online
URL: https://theconversation.com/amp/race-based-health-data-urgently-needed-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-136822
Black health groups need to be part of Ontario's health-care discussion
toronto.comOnline
URL: https://www.toronto.com/opinion-story/9873582-black-health-groups-need-to-be-part-of-ontario-s-health-care-discussion/
BEYOND LOCAL: Here are the most likely — and least likely — ways to spread COVID-19
OrilliaMattersOnline
URL: https://www.orilliamatters.com/around-ontario/beyond-local-here-are-the-most-likely-and-least-likely-ways-to-spread-covid-19-2551953
Face masks do’s and don’ts
mtltimesOnline
URL: https://mtltimes.ca/Montreal/covid-19/face-masks-dos-and-donts/
How many people can I see at once? Coronavirus social rules by region
Q107Online
URL: https://q107.com/news/7106281/coronavirus-social-bubbles-rules/
Need a vacation? Here's how to safely get away this summer
URL: https://q107.com/news/7204819/summer-vacation-ideas/
Is it even OK to shop online right now?
Today's ParentOnline
URL: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/family-life/coronavirus-online-shopping/
Dr. Kate Mulligan is the Director of Policy and Communications at the Alliance for Healthier Communities, a network of equity-focused community health organizations. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. She sits on the Toronto Board of Health and the boards of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies and 8-80 Cities.
race-based data
public health communications
equity-focused health communication
Located in Toronto, Ontario
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> Information management and analysis
> Deprivation
> Material and Social Deprivation Index
Methodological documents
The following texts contain information and methodological details needed to understand and correctly use the different versions of the MSDI.
Gamache, P., Hamel D., and Blaser, C. 2019. The material and social deprivation index: a summary (to be published)
This document applies to all index versions and years from 1991 to 2016. It presents the construction of the deprivation index, its composition, the geographical level for the different versions and suggests how to combine the quintiles from the material and the social dimensions of the index. It also explains some methodological particularities of the 2011 index based on the National Household Survey (NHS) rather than on the Census. It presents the products offered with the MSDI while a final section contains advice on the use of the index. Finally, a reference list with papers in English and in French reports the main studies with the MSDI published by the team which developed the index in order to illustrate the possible uses and interpretation of the index of deprivation.
Gamache, P. and Hamel, D. 2017. The Challenges of Updating the Deprivation Index with Data from the 2011 Census and the National Household Survey (NHS)
In this document, the authors present the challenges associated with the update of the Material and Social Deprivation index using data from the National Household Survey (NHS) in 2011. They explain the potential non-response bias which could lead to imprecise results. Four versions of the 2011 index were tested in order to compare their quality and to identify the most comparable and precise version for longitudinal analyses. The version without any correction appeared to yield the most similar results compared to the other 2011 versions and best continuity with earlier versions. The authors conclude that the index of deprivation remains a very good measure for social health inequality at the Canadian, provincial and regional level, particularly when individual socioeconomic information is missing in administrative databases.
Pampalon, R., Gamache, P. and Hamel, D. 2011. The Québec Index of Material and Social Deprivation: Methodological Follow-up, 1991 through 2006
The intent of this paper is to offer an overview of the index’ methodological components from 1991 to 2006. Not all index construction components are explored in minute detail—other publications have already done so. Instead, the authors cover only components that have been modified. They present their status at four points which coincide with index revisions. The components are: the basic area units, the socio-economic indicators that comprise the index, the way these indicators are combined, and the socio-economic profile associated with the index. The discussion is based on the Québec version of the index, although some geographic variations are noted.
Specific details related to the 2011 and 2016 versions of the index are documented in « The material and social deprivation index: a summary» (to be published).
Pampalon, R., Hamel D. and Raymond G. 2004. Indice de défavorisation pour l’étude de la santé et du bien-être au Québec - Mise à jour 2001 (only available in French)
The authors describe the updated Québec deprivation index based on Census information from 2001 and compare it to previous (1996) Census data. They document the changes in the index construction such as the new geographical base unit (dissemination area - DA) and adjusted factors for inclusion and exclusion. The authors present the equivalence tables and the assignation procedure for the inclusion of the deprivation quintile in tables containing postal codes and test the method with two data bases in the health domain (i.e. mortality and births). In conclusion, they discuss the consequences of the update and the next steps and make available a list of tools for the use of the 2001 deprivation index.
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Home › All Judgements › CIT vs. Oriental Insurance (Supreme Court)
CIT vs. Oriental Insurance (Supreme Court)
CORAM:
SECTION(S):
CATCH WORDS:
COUNSEL:
DATE: (Date of pronouncement)
DATE: July 19, 2008 (Date of publication)
AY:
Where the High Court dismissed the appeals filed against a PSU on the ground that an application for permission of the COD had not been obtained within the period of 30 days as laid down in ONGC’s case, held that there was actually no rigid time frame indicated by the Supreme Court. The emphasis on one month’s time was to show urgency needed. Merely because there is some delay in approaching the Committee that does not make the action illegal. The Committee is required to deal with the matter expeditiously so that there is no unnecessary backlog of appeals which ultimately may not be pursued. In that sense, it is imperative that the concerned authorities take urgent action otherwise the intended objective would be frustrated. There is no scope for lethargy. It is to be tested by the Court as to whether there was any indifference and lethargy and in appropriate cases refuse to interfere.
In Re: Guidelines For Court Functioning Through Video Conferencing During Covid-19 Pandemic… Every individual and institution is expected to cooperate in the implementation of measures designed to reduce the transmission of the virus. The scaling down conventional operations within the precincts of courts is a measure in that direction. Access to justice is fundamental to preserve the rule of law in the…
B. L. Passi vs. CIT (Supreme Court) The wider meaning of the word “technical” would defeat the object of Section 80-O by enabling the remuneration for management or running of a foreign company to be eligible for deduction under Section 80-O. On the other hand, the narrower meaning of the word “technical” seems to be more in…
Raj Pal Singh vs. CIT (Supreme Court) For chargeability of income-tax, the income ought to have either arrived or accrued. In the matter of acquisition of land under the Act of 1894, taking over of possession before arrival of relevant stage for such taking over may give rise to a potential right in the owner of the…
CIT vs. HCL Technologies Ltd (Supreme Court) In the instant case, if the deductions on freight, telecommunication and insurance attributable to the delivery of computer software under Section10A of the IT Act are allowed only in Export Turnover but not from the Total Turnover then, it would give rise to inadvertent, unlawful, meaningless and illogical result which…
UOI vs. P. D. Sunny (Supreme Court) There shall be ex-parte ad-interim stay of the impugned judgment and order(s) passed in the aforesaid writ petitions and of further proceedings before the High Court(s), in view of the stand taken by the Government of India through learned Solicitor General, before us, that the Government is fully conscious of…
Ramnath & Co vs. CIT (Supreme Court) The principles laid down by the Constitution Bench in Dilip Kumar (2018) 9 SCC 1, when applied to incentive provisions like those for deduction, would also be that the burden lies on the assessee to prove its applicability to his case; and if there be any ambiguity in the deduction…
JCIT vs. United Phosphorus (Supreme Court)
The question as to whether the assessee had an option in law to claim partial depreciation in respect of any block of assets is remanded to the High Court to consider in the light of Mahendra Mills 243 ITR 56 … JCIT vs. United Phosphorus (Supreme Court) Read…
DCIT vs. Core Health Care (Supreme Court)
(i) Interest paid in respect of borrowings on capital assets not put to use in the concerned financial year are deductible under Section 36(1)(iii) of the Act; (ii) Interest on all moneys borrowed for the purposes of business are deductible … DCIT vs. Core Health Care (Supreme Court)…
CIT vs. Bilahari Investments (Supreme Court)
In the case of a chit fund following the ‘completed contract method of accounting’ and offering income at the end of the chit, held, approving the method: (i) Recognition/identification of income under the Act is attainable by several methods of … CIT vs. Bilahari Investments (Supreme Court) Read…
Kvaerner John Brown vs. CIT (Supreme Court)
Jurisdiction u/s S. 143(1)(a) and 143 (1A) is confined to making “prima facie” adjustments. When there are conflicting judgments on interpretation of Section 80-O, it is not permissible to make “prima facie” adjustments u/s 143(1)(a) and consequently additional tax u/s 143(1A) is not payable.
R & B Falcon vs. CIT (Supreme Court)
Transportation cost incurred by a foreign assessee in providing transportation facility for movement of offshore employees from their residence in home country to the place of work and back is liable to Fringe Benefit Tax u/s 115WA.
‹ Valvoline Cummins vs. DCIT (Delhi High Court)
Steel Authority vs. STO (Supreme Court) ›
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How Expectation and Reality Can Clash in the World of Star Wars Fandom
Germain Lussier
Rey runs from, we think, Kylo Ren in The Rise of Skywalker.
Photo: Lucasfilm
I never quite understood how someone’s expectations of a movie could potentially ruin the reality of watching it until I heard the words: The Rise of Skywalker.
Minutes after the title for Star Wars: Episode IX was announced last month, I read a theory somewhere of what “The Rise of Skywalker” could mean. The theory, which has since widely spread, is that “Skywalker” in this sense may no longer be referring to a specific bloodline, family, or individual. It suggests that with “The Last Jedi” having arrived in the galaxy, a new order of galaxy peacekeepers who use the Force would rise, and Rey would name them “Skywalkers.”
Now, this fits beautifully into everything the Star Wars sequel trilogy—and the franchise as a whole—has been saying, which is why I love it. First of all, it’s been made very obvious time and time again that the Jedi were a flawed group. Their strict laws basically created Darth Vader, helped start the Clone Wars and so much more. So when Luke Skywalker says it’s time for the Jedi to die, he means it.
It's Official: The First Star Wars Film After Rise of Skywalker Will Be From Game of Thrones'...
We’re going from Westeros to a galaxy far, far away. While speaking at the MoffetNathanson Media &…
There’s a growing notion over the last two films that powerful Force users don’t need to follow a Jedi code to be heroes. Rey, of course, is the best example, but The Last Jedi ends with another one in “Broom Boy,” a child inspired by the acts of Luke Skywalker and the Resistance who one-day dreams to help, and can also use the Force to boot. Kylo Ren’s ideology that the past itself needs to die (Kill it if you have to, etc.) fits as well. He believes everything old should be wiped out. That can be applied in-universe, to his evil ways, but also to Star Wars in general, which has been stuck in the same time period, folding upon itself time and time again, for going on 50 years. Maybe it’s time for Star Wars itself to kill the past and move on. Getting rid of the all-powerful Jedi would certainly accomplish that.
If the title “The Rise of Skywalker” means what everyone is theorizing, all of what the current story has been building toward lines up perfectly. It even fits on a larger scale too. Lucasfilm has openly referred to Episode IX as the end of the “Skywalker Saga.” So, what better way to close that chapter of the story but also pay homage to it going forward than for the term “Skywalker,” inspired by this powerful, mythic family, to be the term the universe uses for Force users moving ahead? Going further, if Lucasfilm is going to start fresh with new Star Wars stories unrelated to Luke, Anakin, and Leia, what better way than to keep everything feeling connected than have the term “Skywalker” still be prevalent?
Maybe that guy’s name is The Past, cause he’s dead.
These are the thoughts that have been going through my mind constantly since the title was announced. But you’ve probably heard all this already or thought of it yourself.
From a personal standpoint, having fallen in love with this theory, I had a troubling thought: What if that’s not what “The Rise of Skywalker” is? How am I going to react when I sit down in a theater in December and see my high, perfect expectations shot down? The answer is, “I don’t know,” and that realization shook me in a way I wasn’t expecting. And it may be something you’ve experienced in your life when it comes to fiction you’re deeply connected to.
To willingly acknowledge a movie not meeting my expectations could end up hurting my enjoyment of the film was a true lightbulb moment because the concept alone opens up a Pandora’s box of issues. Of course, the first one that came to mind was the people who had a similar experience with The Last Jedi. Now...I kind of get it. They’d lived for two years with The Force Awakens, reading theories about who Rey was, who Snoke was, and walked into The Last Jedi with pretty defined opinions about what they wanted to see. Then, to some extent, the film pulled those out from under them, adding to a tense discourse that still rages on today.
Before this Rise of Skywalker business, my personal feelings on that situation were that those people weren’t being open-minded enough. That they weren’t seeing the bigger picture or judging the film as it was, as opposed to what they wanted it to be. That’s something many film critics and fans struggle with—disconnecting the movie itself and what we wanted or hoped for. And yet, this idea of Skywalkers has kind of recontextualized that for me. Part of my fandom seems to be bleeding into my professionalism. There’s a fear that my personal desires of what a film could be might cloud my judgment of what it actually is, which should not happen. The film is the film.
She’s the Last Jedi, could she be the first Skywalker?
Quickly I realized, there’s no easy solution here. No quick fix to someone’s emotions or instincts. The heart wants what the heart wants. And surely there are people out there, probably reading this right now, who think the idea of “Skywalker” being a new term for “Jedi” is crap. And those people maybe can’t conceive of fans like myself who think Rey turning out to be related to the Skywalkers would be crap. Everyone has their own opinions. That includes, with emphasis, the filmmakers. Ultimately, we have to trust the people hired to deliver this story to us over our own wild fantasies. It’s not up to them to change our minds necessarily, but craft a story and explanation for things that make us take their side.
The power of story can move mountains. The right story, told in the right way, can make you change your mind about anything. So, for example, maybe I don’t like the idea of Rey literally being a Skywalker relative or you may not like the idea of Jedi becoming “Skywalkers,” but the concept of story is so infinite, there’s always a chance the filmmaker chooses to tell just the right story in just the right way to change your mind. And that’s a testament to how difficult the whole storytelling process is. Crafting just the perfect tale to convey a point in just the right way is harder than even the most complex visual effect. A movie that wins its audience over is a true work of art.
On the flip side, surprise is a powerful tool. Most of the world came up with this Skywalker theory literally minutes after the title was revealed. Which makes it that much less exciting, right? If the entire world can figure out a key aspect of a movie months before release, simply based on its title, that’s probably not a good thing. Sure, it might ease fans into something they aren’t prepared for, but it also could dampen the impact of fully experiencing it in context. Star Wars is a franchise that keeps its secrets as carefully guarded as possible. This feels almost too easy a guess based on the limited facts we have.
Yup, this article is still going.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the execution and self-awareness. If I finish The Rise of Skywalker and think the idea I went into it with is better than what actually happens on screen, whose fault is that? It’s mine. You can’t blame the filmmakers for not telling a story that exceeded my expectations when they had no part in crafting those expectations. You can blame the filmmakers for not making a film that satisfies on its own merits but that argument should not be made in reference to expectations.
There’s the rub, though. It’s damned near impossible to separate the two in these days of complicated fandom. A time where spoilers are held like treasure and theories are exchanged like currency. The more we hold narrative revelations sacred versus thematic intentions, the murkier the discourse becomes. We need to realize spoilers and theories are nothing without a finished creation to hold them up against. That’s the end all be all.
If expectations aren’t met or get shattered along the way, we all have to try— myself included—to forget about that. To look at what was presented and judge it not based on something in our own imaginations, but only on what’s real. And, if for some reason you can’t do that, that’s why fanfiction exists, to let you be creative in your own way. But the two need to be kept separate.
And I’ll keep telling myself this every single day until December 20.
At Least One More Live-Action Star Wars Series May Be Coming Before 2022
The Mandalorian will be here this year. Cassian Andor’s show will probably arrive next year. And if
Entertainment Reporter for io9/Gizmodo
Angrier Geek
My assumption is that “The Rise of Skywalker” is a farewell gift to fans like me who are basically done with this franchise with Luke’s death. After The Last Jedi I had little interest in Episode 9 until they threw me that bone and I know it’s to take with me as I leave while they move onto a new generation of fans.
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Home / Advice / Doing Business Abroad / Doing Business with Slovenia
Key facts about Slovenia
Slovenia is located in Central Europe and bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.
Slovenia has been a member of the EU since 2004.
It has a population of approximately 2.0 million people. The capital city is Ljubljana that has a population of approximately 0.2 million inhabitants.
Slovenia is part of the Schengen Zone.
The top exports of Slovenia are motor vehicles, furniture and household electrical equipment, pharmaceutical products and clothes.
The Top Imports of Slovenia are machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants and food.
Embassy information for Slovenia
A detailed breakdown by the World Bank for doing business in Slovenia. The report includes Economy Profile, Starting a Business, Construction Permits, Getting Credit, Protecting Minor Investors, Paying Taxes, Trading Across Borders, Labour Market Regulations and more.
Details of sea ports from ports.com
Details of Slovenian airports
Tax & VAT details
Enterprise Ireland in Slovenia
Details of local SME organisations
Map of Slovenia
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Rep. Cheney: ‘We Will Not Be Delaying the Election’
Alex Wong, Getty Images
Wyoming's lone US representative on Thursday issued a sharp rebuke at President Donald Trump's suggestion that the 2020 election be delayed, and in doing so, suggested that the Republican Party is "overwhelmingly" against the idea.
Cheney chairs the House Republican Caucus.
On Thursday, Trump suggested that the election be delayed due to unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election could be riddled with voting fraud. Particularly, the President says mail-in voting could lead to the "most inaccurate and fraudulent" election in US history.
Trump and Cheney have differed over public policy in the past. Most recently, Cheney took to the floor of the US House of Representatives to urge passage of the Defense Spending Bill.
That led to pointed jabs from the right, including the president's oldest son tweeting, "We don't need another Mitt Romney," in reference to Cheney.
Mitt Romney was the only Republican US Senator to vote for Trump's conviction during his impeachment trial.
NEXT UP: 10 Absolute WORST Tourist Incidents at Yellowstone National Park
Filed Under: 2020 election, President Donald Trump, Rep. Liz Cheney
Categories: Casper News, National News, News, Politics, Wyoming News
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Tag Archives: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Freshening Up Your Scooby Doo Ending
Posted on March 14, 2015 by Joe Hartlaub
True story: some college students were touring a county coroner’s office. The tour included visit to an autopsy room, where a coroner and a diener were in the process of examining the body of a deceased unfortunate. The diener, with the students looking on, turned the corpse over and exclaimed, “Rut row!” The reason for this utterance was that the corpse had a tattoo of Scooby Doo inked into one cheek of his posterior. Gallows humor, indeed.
Scooby Doo is firmly ensconced in the American culture. The plot of each cartoon episode is very similar, with a crime occurring, Scooby and his pals investigating, and the villain of the piece being unmasked, literally, at the end. I think that I first heard this type of climax referenced as a “Scooby Doo” ending during the second of the three climaxes to the film Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. It has been a vehicle used in mystery novels long before that. There’s nothing wrong with it at all, except that 1) it sometimes doesn’t work and 2) sometimes it needs a little work. I ran across an example of the former several months ago while reading a thriller that was one of the many nephews to The Da Vinci Code wherein the protagonist’s adversary was running around killing people while wearing a tribal mask and attempting to obtain an instrument of antiquity which would permit him to destroy the universe. The protagonist got the mask off of the evildoer near the end and the book ended. “Rut row!” The book was okay, but the ending was a total disappointment.
That brings us to a book I read this week in which the author uses the Scooby Doo ending to great effect by taking the story a step or two beyond it. The author is the morbidly underappreciated Brian Freeman and the book is Season of Fear, the second and latest of the Cab Bolton novels. (Please note: it’s not quite a spoiler, but there’s a general revelation ahead. Read the book regardless). The premise is fairly straightforward. Ten years ago a Florida gubernatorial candidate was assassinated by a masked gunman, throwing the election into chaos. A suspect was identified, tried, convicted, and jailed. In the present, the candidate’s widow is running for the same seat when she receives a threatening note which purports to be from the same assassin. Indeed, he eventually turns up, and his identity is ultimately revealed in a grand unmasking. But wait. Freeman, after giving the reader enough action to fill two books and expertly presenting a complex but easy to follow plot, gives the reader more to chew on. Things don’t end with the revelation of the identity of the doer; instead, Freeman moves us a couple of more steps forward, revealing a potential unexpected mover and shaker who was a couple of steps ahead of everyone, including Bolton. This has the double-barreled effect of making the climax much more interesting and setting up a potential adversarial setting for Cab Bolton in a future novel. Nice work.
Again, Scooby Doo endings are okay. They’re fine. But if your particular novel in waiting has one, and seems to lack pizazz, don’t just take the doer’s mask off, or reveal their identity, or whatever. Take things a step further just as the curtain is going down, and reveal who is pulling the cord, and perhaps yanking the chain. It may be a character that was present throughout your book, or someone entirely new, or…well, you might even want to create a character and work your way backwards with them. But stay with the mask, and go beyond it.
So what say you? Have you read anything recently where the ending really surprised you, unmasking revelations or otherwise notwithstanding? Do you like Scooby Doo endings, in your own work or the work of others? Or can you do without them?
Oh, lest I forget… SCOOBY-DOO and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Hanna-Barbera. Rowwrr!
Posted in #writetips, plot twists, plotting | Tagged Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Brian Freeman, Cab Bolton, Florida, Hanna Barbera, Scooby Doo, Season of Fear, The Da Vinci Code
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The Adaptation and Evaluation of a Pilot Mindfulness Intervention Promoting Mental Health in Student Athletes
in Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology
Audrey G. Evers * , 1 , Jessica A Somogie * , 2 , Ian L. Wong * , 2 , Jennifer D. Allen * , 2 and Adolfo G. Cuevas * , 2
1 Icahn School of Medicine
2 Tufts University
https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2019-0083
meditation; mindfulness-based interventions; stress management; student athlete well-being
The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a pilot mindfulness program for student athletes by assessing mental health, mindfulness ability, and perceived stress before and after the intervention. The mindfulness program was adapted from a program developed at the University of Southern California. The four-session intervention taught the basics of mindfulness, self-care skills, and guided meditations. Participants completed surveys before and after the intervention. Mindfulness ability was assessed with the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale, mental health was assessed with a modified Short Form Health Survey, and stress was assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale. After the intervention, participants reported improvement in mindfulness ability, t(28) = −2.61, p = .014, mental health, t(28) = −2.87, p = .008, and a trending improvement in perceived stress, t(28) = 1.86, p = .073. A short mindfulness program may be effective for improving mental health and mindfulness ability in collegiate student athletes.
* Evers is with the Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Somogie is with the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. Wong is with the Department of Health Promotion and Prevention, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. Allen and Cuevas are with the Department of Community Health, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
Evers (audreygevers@gmail.com) is corresponding author.
Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology
Adaptations to Mindfulness Intervention
Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale—Revised
Short Form Health Survey
Characteristics of the Sample
Primary Hypothesis
Supplementary Analyses
Clinical Implications
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Audrey G. Evers
Jessica A Somogie
Ian L. Wong
Jennifer D. Allen
Adolfo G. Cuevas
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Should College Athletes Be Allowed to Be Paid? A Public Opinion Analysis
in Sociology of Sport Journal
Chris Knoester * , 1 and B. David Ridpath * , 2
2 Ohio University
https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.2020-0015
Traditionally, public opinions have largely opposed further compensation for U.S. college athletes, beyond the costs of going to school. This study uses new data from the National Sports and Society Survey (N = 3,993) to assess recent public opinions about allowing college athletes to be paid more than it costs them to go to school. The authors found that a majority of U.S. adults now support, rather than oppose, allowing college athletes to be paid. Also, the authors found that White adults are especially unlikely, and Black adults are especially likely, to support allowing payment. Furthermore, recognition of racial/ethnic discrimination is positively, and indicators of traditionalism are negatively, associated with support for allowing college athletes to be paid.
* Knoester is with The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. Ridpath is with the Department of Sports Administration, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA.
Knoester (knoester.1@osu.edu) is corresponding author.
Sociology of Sport Journal
CRT, College Sports, and Amateurism
Public Opinions About Allowing Athlete Compensation
Race/Ethnicity and Public Opinions About Payment to College Athletes
Traditionalism and Payment to College Athletes
Dependent and Independent Variables
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Ridpath, B.D., Kiger, J., Mak, J., Eagle, T., & Letter, G. (2007). Factors that influence the academic performance of NCAA Division I athletes. The SMART Journal, 4(1), 59–83.)| false
Ridpath, B.D., Rudd, A., & Stokowski, S. (2019). Perceptions of European athletes that attend American colleges and universities for elite athletic development and higher education access. Journal of Global Sport Management, 5(1), 34–61. doi:
Ridpath, B.D., Rudd, A., & Stokowski, S. (2019). Perceptions of European athletes that attend American colleges and universities for elite athletic development and higher education access. Journal of Global Sport Management, 5(1), 34–61. doi:10.1080/24704067.2019.1636402)| false
Rudd, A., & Ridpath, B.D. (2019). Education versus athletics: What will Division I football and basketball players choose? Journal of Amateur Sport, 5(1), 76–95. doi:
Rudd, A., & Ridpath, B.D. (2019). Education versus athletics: What will Division I football and basketball players choose? Journal of Amateur Sport, 5(1), 76–95. doi:10.17161/jas.v5i1.7731)| false
Sack, A.L., & Staurowsky, E.J. (1998). College athletes for hire. Westport, CT: Praeger.
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Singer, J. (2019). Race, sports and education: Improving opportunities and outcomes for Black male college athletes. Cambridge: Harvard Education Press.
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Southall, R.M., & Southall, C.R. (2018). The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s “Nothing short of remarkable” Rebranding of academic success. In R. King-White (Ed.), Sport and the Neoliberal University: Profit, Politics, and Pedagogy (pp. 131–152). New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
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Southall, R.M., & Staurowsky, E.J. (2013). Cheering on the collegiate model: Creating, disseminating, and imbedding the NCAA’s redefinition of amateurism. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 37(4), 403–429. doi:10.1177/0193723513498606)| false
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Wallsten, K., Nteta, T.M., McCarthy, L.A., & Tarsi, M.R. (2017). Prejudice or principled conservatism? Racial resentment and white opinion toward paying college athletes. Political Research Quarterly, 70(1), 209–222. doi:
Wallsten, K., Nteta, T.M., McCarthy, L.A., & Tarsi, M.R. (2017). Prejudice or principled conservatism? Racial resentment and white opinion toward paying college athletes. Political Research Quarterly, 70(1), 209–222. doi:10.1177/1065912916685186)| false
Winter, N.J.G. (2008). Dangerous frames: How ideas about race & gender shape public opinion. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
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Chris Knoester
B. David Ridpath
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Columbia Basin Trust annual report revealed
Columbia Basin Trust annual report reveals positive community impacts
The Basin region has received nearly $100 milllion in funding through Columbia Basin Trust projects, grants and initiatives
by Julie Matchett — September 18, 2020
Nearly $100 million has been provided to Basin residents and communities by the Columbia Basin Trust. — Image courtesy Columbia Basin Trust
The Columbia Basin Trust continues to provide positive impacts to the people and communities in the Basin as revealed in their 2019/20 Annual Service Plan Report. Over $97.3 million has been earmarked for programs, initiatives and capital investments in our region, including $68 million in grants, $12.2 million in projects to support economic development and broadband infrastructure, and $9.2 million in business loans.
“Working with partners and communities, we’ve kept moving forward on the things that the people in the Basin have told us matters to them including affordable housing, childcare and the environment,” said Johnny Strilaeff, Columbia Basin Trust president and CEO. “We are grateful for their vision, support and collaboration over the last 25 years and are deeply appreciative of how we have been able to grow and evolve as we worked together to serve the people and communities in the region.”
The Columbia Basin Trust adheres to 13 strategic priorities set out in the Columbia Basin Management Plan, and they guide the Trust’s efforts to support communities. Along with the introduction of new programs and initiatives, over 2,100 projects were advanced throughout 2019/20. Some of these initiatives include:
New funding to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic: In an effort to provide additional support to local small business owners, vulnerable populations, First Nations communities, social service operators and childcare providers, the Columbia Basin Trust announced over $11 million in new funding to their various grants and programs.
Training fee support, wage-subsidy programs: In order to help the region’s businesses and workforce navigate the ongoing pandemic, Columbia Basin Trust adjusted their programs and services to provide relevant support, such as low-interest loans to help with modifications to business operations, free advice on how to become more tech-savvy, wage subsidies to hire summer students and support for short-term training.
Community Outdoor Revitalization Grants: Eleven communities across the region received grants to create or reinvigorate outdoor public spaces. Among the funded projects were a new roof added to a public pavilion in Edgewater and a gazebo area and art installation beside the City Hall in Cranbrook.
Affordable housing: The struggle to find safe and affordable housing has been an ongoing issue in the Basin region. The Columbia Basin Trust continues to support affordable housing projects in communities across the area.
For 25 years, Columbia Basin Trust has been supporting your ideas and efforts. To learn more about the Trust’s resources and support, visit ourtrust.org or call 1-800-505-8998.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Elkford, Fernie, Kimberley, Sparwood, Financial East Kootenay Community Credit Union celebrates 70th anniversary by giving back to community
Founded in 1950, the East Kootenay Community Credit Union is celebrating their 70th anniversary on December 14, 2020
West Kootenay, Nelson, Financial, Small Business, Featured Businesses, Featured Product, Featured Stories Balance your investment portfolio with the right recipe
Colin White, Portfolio Manager of White LeBlanc Wealth Planners, HollisWealth in Nelson, B.C., outlines what a financial advisor can provide
November 2020 by Kyle Born
West Kootenay, Nelson, Financial Peace of mind during COVID-19? Get your will done!
Attorney Alan J. Burch in Nelson specializes in wills, and he’s seen an increase in demand during the pandemic
August 2020 by Virginia Rasch
View all Financial articles
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Portrait of Philanthropy
Michael Leven: Committed to the Jewish Future
Merri Ukraincik
Photo: Charles Pertwee/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Growing up in Boston, Mike Leven was always active in Jewish life. He attended shul and Hebrew school, spent summers at Jewish camp, and played ball at the YMHA. His parents worked hard, the family lived modestly and tzedakah was essential to who they were as Jews.
“I learned from the pushkes my grandparents kept on the television that it isn’t always how much we give that matters,” he recalls. “Sometimes, it’s just the giving itself.”
Mike remained Jewishly active on campus as an undergraduate at Tufts University and then as a graduate student at Boston University. But graduation began what he calls “a forty-year gap” in his Jewish communal life. He and Andrea, his wife of fifty-nine years, raised their three sons in Atlanta, where they focused on other causes.
A visionary businessman, Mike’s prominent career in the hospitality industry included the launch of the Holiday Inn Express brand and the reorganization of Days Inn of America, growing it from a regional chain to one of the largest hotel organizations in the world. Last year, he ended his tenure as the Chairman and Chief Executive of Georgia Aquarium to devote more time to philanthropic endeavors. In the past, he served as President and COO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Chairman and CEO of US Franchise Systems, President and CEO of Holiday Inn Worldwide and President of Days Inn of America. Mike’s book about his career, You Can’t Do It Yourself: How Commitment to Others Leads to Personal Prosperity, is forthcoming from Forbes this fall.
Eventually, however, Mike returned to his roots. “It’s been a very expensive journey back,” he quips. Though he is not observant, he is a shul member and believes that Orthodoxy represents the foundation—and future—of the Jewish people. He serves on The Marcus Foundation board, through which he is active in Taglit Birthright Israel. He also supports local institutions, including the Atlanta Scholars Kollel and Chabad, as well as other charitable causes in Florida, where he and Andrea now reside.
“Mike saw immediately that TJJ is a quantum leap for these teens, who have little, if any, prior connection to Judaism. It launches their journey as the next generation of Jewish leaders.” —Evan Levitt, Regional Director of Special Projects, Southern NCSY
Mike, who steers much of his philanthropy toward organizations that help sustain the Jewish people and the State of Israel, approached NCSY looking to invest in the future. A few years ago, he made a generous commitment to NCSY’s The Anne Samson Jerusalem Journey (TJJ) summer program, which provides an immersive, life-changing trip to Israel for Jewish teens who attend public and secular private schools.
“Mike saw immediately that TJJ is a quantum leap for these teens, who have little, if any, prior connection to Judaism. It launches their journey as the next generation of Jewish leaders,” says Evan Levitt, Regional Director of Special Projects, Southern NCSY.
While on the trip, TJJ participants send postcards to Mike, and he hosts teens from the Florida contingent in his community when they get back. He wants to hear directly from them not only about their Israel experience, but also about how they are committing to Jewish life in their communities once they return home.
“Mike’s passionate approach to helping NCSY do what is necessary to sustain Jewish life is both unparalleled and inspiring,” says Evan. He lauds Mike “for wanting to see firsthand how the kids are more involved after TJJ, through NCSY programming at school, for example. It’s the return on his investment.”
Beyond his own giving, Mike has launched a national initiative called the Jewish Future Pledge (JFP) that he hopes will inspire a uniquely Jewish philanthropic legacy. With trillions of dollars in wealth set to transfer from his generation to the next over the coming twenty-five years, the JFP encourages individuals to direct a portion of their estate to organizations and philanthropies that help sustain the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
Mike also wants teens to sign the Jewish Youth Pledge, which asks them to commit to supporting the Jewish community through their friendships and attendance at Jewish programs.
“My hope is that they’ll find a way to involve themselves [in Jewish life] long before they can be philanthropic. That’s where it starts—with critical programs like NCSY,” he explains.
This article was featured in Fall 2020 issue of Jewish Action.
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Botulinum toxin: Mechanism of presynaptic blockade
Ing Kao, Daniel B. Drachman, Donald L. Price
The mechanism of action of botulinum toxin was analyzed by the use of calcium ionophores and black widow spider venom. Addition of calcium ionophores to nerve-muscle preparations blocked by botulinum toxin did not increase the frequency of miniature end plate potentials. However, the spider venom elicited a barrage of miniature end plate potentials after blockade by botulinum. Electron micrographs of preparations treated with botulinum toxin and then the spider venom revealed clumping of synaptic vesicles at release sites in the otherwise depleted nerve terminals. These findings indicate that the action of botulinum toxin is not due to deficient storage of acetylcholine in vesicles or blockade of calcium entry into nerve terminals. They suggest that the toxin interferes with the acetylcholine release process itself, possibly by blocking exocytosis at the release sites.
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.785600
10.1126/science.785600
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Botulinum toxin: Mechanism of presynaptic blockade'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Botulinum Toxins Medicine & Life Sciences
Spider Venoms Medicine & Life Sciences
Miniature Postsynaptic Potentials Medicine & Life Sciences
Calcium Ionophores Medicine & Life Sciences
black widow spider venom Medicine & Life Sciences
Acetylcholine Medicine & Life Sciences
Neuromuscular Junction Medicine & Life Sciences
Synaptic Vesicles Medicine & Life Sciences
Kao, I., Drachman, D. B., & Price, D. L. (1976). Botulinum toxin: Mechanism of presynaptic blockade. Science, 193(4259), 1256-1258. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.785600
Botulinum toxin : Mechanism of presynaptic blockade. / Kao, Ing; Drachman, Daniel B.; Price, Donald L.
In: Science, Vol. 193, No. 4259, 01.01.1976, p. 1256-1258.
Kao, I, Drachman, DB & Price, DL 1976, 'Botulinum toxin: Mechanism of presynaptic blockade', Science, vol. 193, no. 4259, pp. 1256-1258. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.785600
Kao I, Drachman DB, Price DL. Botulinum toxin: Mechanism of presynaptic blockade. Science. 1976 Jan 1;193(4259):1256-1258. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.785600
Kao, Ing ; Drachman, Daniel B. ; Price, Donald L. / Botulinum toxin : Mechanism of presynaptic blockade. In: Science. 1976 ; Vol. 193, No. 4259. pp. 1256-1258.
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abstract = "The mechanism of action of botulinum toxin was analyzed by the use of calcium ionophores and black widow spider venom. Addition of calcium ionophores to nerve-muscle preparations blocked by botulinum toxin did not increase the frequency of miniature end plate potentials. However, the spider venom elicited a barrage of miniature end plate potentials after blockade by botulinum. Electron micrographs of preparations treated with botulinum toxin and then the spider venom revealed clumping of synaptic vesicles at release sites in the otherwise depleted nerve terminals. These findings indicate that the action of botulinum toxin is not due to deficient storage of acetylcholine in vesicles or blockade of calcium entry into nerve terminals. They suggest that the toxin interferes with the acetylcholine release process itself, possibly by blocking exocytosis at the release sites.",
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N2 - The mechanism of action of botulinum toxin was analyzed by the use of calcium ionophores and black widow spider venom. Addition of calcium ionophores to nerve-muscle preparations blocked by botulinum toxin did not increase the frequency of miniature end plate potentials. However, the spider venom elicited a barrage of miniature end plate potentials after blockade by botulinum. Electron micrographs of preparations treated with botulinum toxin and then the spider venom revealed clumping of synaptic vesicles at release sites in the otherwise depleted nerve terminals. These findings indicate that the action of botulinum toxin is not due to deficient storage of acetylcholine in vesicles or blockade of calcium entry into nerve terminals. They suggest that the toxin interferes with the acetylcholine release process itself, possibly by blocking exocytosis at the release sites.
AB - The mechanism of action of botulinum toxin was analyzed by the use of calcium ionophores and black widow spider venom. Addition of calcium ionophores to nerve-muscle preparations blocked by botulinum toxin did not increase the frequency of miniature end plate potentials. However, the spider venom elicited a barrage of miniature end plate potentials after blockade by botulinum. Electron micrographs of preparations treated with botulinum toxin and then the spider venom revealed clumping of synaptic vesicles at release sites in the otherwise depleted nerve terminals. These findings indicate that the action of botulinum toxin is not due to deficient storage of acetylcholine in vesicles or blockade of calcium entry into nerve terminals. They suggest that the toxin interferes with the acetylcholine release process itself, possibly by blocking exocytosis at the release sites.
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구독신청(Subscribe) 샘플신청(Free Sample) PDF
Gangnam-gu, South Korea
Fine Dust :
Home > National > Politics
North silent about two Koreas’ match in Pyongyang
South Korea’s national football team is slated to play a qualifying match against North Korea in Pyongyang next week for the 2022 World Cup, but the competition appears unlikely to improve civilian ties between the two Koreas as Pyongyang is keeping mum on numerous proposals from Seoul.
According to an official from South Korea’s Unification Ministry Thursday, despite having attempted “in various ways” to reach agreements with the North concerning broadcasting rights for the match, the dispatch of a cheerleading squad and press corps, as well as arranging a direct flight to Pyongyang, there has been “no discernible progress” in the dialogue so far.
The two Koreas have both been placed in Group H for the qualification round for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and will face off against one another on Tuesday next week at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang. A second match between the two Koreas is scheduled for June 4 next year, though the venue for that game has yet to be decided.
With Tuesday’s match marking the first time the Koreas have faced each other in Pyongyang in 29 years, South Korea has been trying since last month to make it an occasion to advance bilateral ties amid the ongoing strain brought on by faltering denuclearization negotiations.
The North has ignored Seoul’s repeated requests to send a cheerleading squad and for permission for the South’s national football team to fly directly from Incheon International Airport to Pyongyang, a journey that would take around 40 minutes by air. Instead, according to a source in the South Korean government, the team is set to fly on Sunday to Beijing, where they will need to acquire visas from the North Korean Embassy in China before flying via the North’s official Koryo Airlines or a Chinese carrier into Pyongyang for Tuesday’s game.
The entire process is estimated to take around two days, given the time that it normally takes to issue North Korean visas. The Unification Ministry official said this would likely mean the players would have to stay in China overnight, since there are no flights from Beijing to Pyongyang on Sunday.
Perhaps more concerning for South Korean fans, however, is Pyongyang’s silence on the issue of broadcasting.
In terms of broadcasting rights, it is likely that South Koreans will not be able to watch a live feed of their team’s match with the North. According to the Unification Ministry, broadcasting rights for final qualifying matches are held by the Asian Football Confederation, but host countries hold the broadcasting rights for regional qualification matches like Tuesday’s.
North Korea did not broadcast its earlier match in Pyongyang with Lebanon held on Sept. 5, which it won 2-0, choosing instead to publish photographs of the game the following day. This, and the fact that it hasn’t replied to requests by South Korean broadcasters, suggests it is unlikely next Tuesday’s match will be televised.
The star player on South Korea’s national football team, Son Heung-min, addressed some of the concerns surrounding the match when asked by reporters on Monday. “There is nothing we can do and it is best that we quickly accept [the situation],” Son said. “We are not tourists and will have no time to see things in North Korea. As a player on the national team, I will only think about the game.”
BY SHIM KYU-SEOK, BAEK MIN-JEONG [shim.kyuseok@joongang.co.kr]
To the loyalists go the spoils in Moon administration
Moon reshuffles to concentrate on North, security
New foreign minister named ahead of Biden inauguration
Moon's adoption comments continue to upset
Gyeonggi goes ahead with ￦100,000 checks for all
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Monday Night Combat Smashes Keyboards, Releasing On Steam
Monday Night Combat, one of the year's surprise hits on Xbox Live Arcade, will be released on PC next month.
While a first glance may have you wondering why, since being a cartoon-based team shooter it's firmly on Team Fortress 2's turf, you're not being very fair. Monday Night Combat is its own creature, as much a fast-paced game of tower defence as it is a straight-up shooter.
If you pre-purchase the game on Steam now, you'll get access to the beta which begins on December 16. If you want to wait, the game's proper release date is January 17.
We reviewed the Xbox 360 version earlier this year, and liked it. A lot.
Monday Night Combat Review: The Happy Warriors
Turrets. I can't stop building and upgrading them in Monday Night Combat. Oh, they do a great job…
GunFlame
Oooo. Might pick this up. Looks pretty cool and I always find 3rd person to be much more friendly that 1st.
I would try Team Fortress 2, but I'm bad at FPSs at the best of times, with a Keyboard & Mouse I'm even worse. I can't see there being that much of a welcoming for my noobish skills when TF2 has built such a strong fan base.
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Sedalia Police Crime Reports For July 5, 2019
Sedalia Police reports 7-5-19
Sedalia Police arrested 23-year-old Daryan Michael Harrison after responding to a disturbance at 20th and Harrison July 2 at 4:18 a.m. Harrison was located on the Katy Trail. He was was wanted on a Pettis County warrant for possession of marijuana. He was taken into custody and transported to the Pettis County Jail on a $1,500 cash or surety bond. Harrison now has a July 23 court date.
On June 27 around 8:30 p.m., Sedalia Police conducted a traffic stop at Magnolia and Harrison. The driver was wanted on a 96-hour detention out of Pettis County, but the driver became agitated during the stop and argued with the officer. While waiting for a sheriff's deputy to arrive to serve the warrant, the driver started the car up and left the scene, prompting a short vehicle pursuit. When the driver finally stopped, he got out and ran. After a short foot pursuit, 27-year-old Michael D. Thomlinson was taken into custody and transported to the Pettis County Jail by the deputy. He was also charged with resisting arrest.
Sedalia Police conducted a high-risk traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1300 block of South Missouri July 2 at 9:30 p.m after being contacted by Henry County authorities about a domestic violence case. 21-year-old Ethan D. Jiminez was taken into custody and later turned over to Henry County deputies. The other two people in the car were released.
On July 1, a woman reported a large dent in her driver's door that occurred while she was shopping at Walmart, 3201 W. Broadway. The incident occurred between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m. Monday.
On June 30, an officer on routine patrol heard a car crash near Missouri and Cooper around 1:10 a.m. Investigation revelaed that one of the drivers had already left the scene upon officer's arrival.
On July 2 around 11 p.m. at Broadway and Massachusetts, Sedalia Police conducted a traffic stop. 52-year-old Marshall L. Tittsworth was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was taken to the Pettis County Jail.
On June 30 around 2:45 p.m., in the 100 block of North Missouri, a woman reported a burglary. According to a report, a chain on a door was broken, and two window AC units were stolen. They were collectively valued at $560.94.
On June 29 at 11:40 p.m., Sedalia Police arrested 19-year-old Zachary Tyler Allison of Sedalia on a Pettis County warrant after conducting a traffic stop at 2100 West 1st Street Terrace in which he was a passenger. Allison was taken to the Pettis County Jail on a $150 cash bond.
On July 30 just before 10:30 a.m., Sedalia Police responded to a verbal disturbance in the 1000 block of South Vermont. One of the parties, 39-year-old Nathaniel L. Willis was wanted on a felony parole violation. Willis was taken into custody and transported to the Pettis County Jail.
On July 2, a woman in the 400 block of West 23rd reported her attached garage was broken into, and several items taken totaling $1080 in value. One item was recovered. The break-in occurred between 10:20 p.m. Monday and 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
On Monday, Nickolas Houlette reported his vehicle was scratched while parked on the Menard's lot, 4400 Wisconsin. A three-foot scratch was seen on the left side of the vehicle.
On Monday, 31-year-old Kevin Lee Caruth of Otterville was arrested on a warrant at Probation and Parole, 205 Thompson Road. He was taken to the Pettis County Jail.
On June 29 at 9:33 p.m. at 216 W. Broadway, Sedalia Police arrested 38-year-old Tabatha Lynn Crawford of Sedalia for driving while suspended and failure to register with the DOR after a car stop for expired registration. Crawford was taken to the Pettis County Jail on a $2,500 cash or surety bond.
On July 1, Sedalia Police took a sexual assault report in the 1300 block of South Garfield. According to a report, the assault occurred at Whiteman Air Force Base. Police got the victim in contact with the proper personnel on base.
Sedalia Police checked on some people walking in the middle of the street where a sidewalk was available at 1:11 a.m. at 14th and Harrison. A computer check of one of them, 35-year-old Garrett Michael Ecker, revealed that he was wanted on an El Dorado Springs warrant for assault. Ecker was taken to the Pettis County Jail on a $653 cash or surety bond.
On July 2, a man reported that his car was broken into while shopping at WalMart, 3201 W. Broadway, with several items taken.
On July 2 at 6:08 p.m. at 3107 W. Broadway, Makayla R. Wheeler reported that she left her cell phone in a dressing room at Rue 21, and when she returned later, it was gone.
On July 2 at 3107 W. Broadway, Makayla Renee Wheeler of Pettis County was arrested on a Municipal warrant. Wheeler was taken to the Petttis County Jail with a $60 cash bond. She now has a July 17 court date.
On July 2 around 8:30 p.m. at 5th and Brown, Sedalia Police arrested 42-year-old Crystal Gayle Johnson of Sedalia after a traffic stop. A computer check revealed she was driving while revoked. She was issued a Municipal summons.
Sedalia Police responded to a domestic disturbance call at 400 South Brown Tuesday at 2:41 a.m. According to a report, the suspect, 41-year-old Jason B. Warren of La Monte tried to take the cell phone of another, attacking them in the process. The victim escaped and call police from a friend's house. There were no serious injuries, but Warren was charged with 3rd degree domestic assault.
On Monday, 61-year-old Jerry Dale Nunn of Warsaw was arrested by Sedalia Police on a Benton County warrant for possession of methamphetamine. Nunn was taken to the Pettis County Jail, where he was booked and released.
On Monday, Sedalia Police arrested 32-year-old David Macias of Sedalia for 2nd degree property damage. According to a report, police spoke to his mother in the 2300 block of E. Broadway about a broken window. Macias had minor cuts on his hand from punching the window, the report said.
Filed Under: Sedalia Police Reports
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Vehicles for the District of Columbia National Guard are seen outside the D.C. Armory, Monday, June 1, 2020, in Washington. Protests have erupted across the United States to protest the death of Floyd, a black man who was killed in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Barr: Law Enforcement Must ‘Dominate’ Streets Amid Protests
June 01, 2020 - 3:17 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials vowed to “maximize federal law enforcement presence” in the nation’s capital on Monday night after days of violent demonstrations led to fires across Washington and left scores of businesses with broken windows and dozens of police officers injured.
In a call with governors, President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr also encouraged more aggressive action against those who cause violence during protests across the country following the killing of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died after a white Minneapolis policeman pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air. The demonstrations have turned violent in several cities, with fires ignited in Lafayette Park across from the White House.
The comments from Trump, Barr and other federal officials appeared aimed at avoiding similar scenes on Monday night, when protesters are expected to gather again. But there are also questions about whether using more aggressive law enforcement measures against demonstrators protesting police brutality would only increase tensions.
Barr told the state leaders that law enforcement officials must “have adequate force” and “go after troublemakers.”
“Law enforcement response is not going to work unless we dominate the streets,” Barr said.
The president urged governors to deploy the National Guard, which he credited with helping calm the situation Sunday night in Minneapolis and demanded that similarly tough measures be taken in cities that also experienced a spasm of violence, including New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
Between the protests and the response to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Guard has been deployed at its highest level in recent history, surpassing the number of troops sent to the Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. More than 66,700 soldiers and airman have been activated — 45,000 to assist with the pandemic and more than 17,000 to help with the protests.
Other law enforcement resources are also being mobilized.
The Justice Department deployed the U.S. Marshals Service and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration to supplement National Guard troops in Washington on Sunday. By midnight, Barr had ordered the FBI to deploy its Hostage Rescue Team, an elite tactical unit, to the streets of the nation’s capital, a senior Justice Department official said.
Barr has also directed the federal Bureau of Prisons to send teams of prison riot officers to patrol the streets in Miami and Washington, D.C., said the official, who could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The U.S. Park Police and Secret Service have had dozens of officers out in riot gear in Washington for the last few nights, in addition to the Metropolitan Police Department. U.S. Customs and Border Protection was also sending officers, agents and aircraft around the country to assist other law enforcement agencies “confronting the lawless actions of rioters,” the agency said. The officers were being deployed in several states, though the official declined to provide specific details, citing security concerns.
Several major cities have enacted curfews, and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser set a 7 p.m. curfew for Monday and Tuesday. Violent demonstrators ignored the 11 p.m. curfew the night before as they set buildings and trash cans on fire and broke into stores to steal items from the shelves.
Most of the protesters have been peaceful and tried to discourage violence. Trump, Barr and others have tried to blame some of the civil unrest on left-wing extremist groups, including antifa, and other “anarchists." Short for anti-fascists, antifa is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations.
The FBI is using its network of regional joint terrorism task forces to “identify criminal organizers,” and federal prosecutors across the country have been instructed to share information and utilize federal riot, arson or terror statutes against any “violent radical agitators” who attempt to hijack protests to cause destruction.
The Justice Department has vowed to treat the “violence instigated and carried out by antifa & other similar groups” as domestic terrorism. Although there isn’t a specific federal domestic terrorism statute, prosecutors could charge other offenses and seek enhanced sentencing.
The FBI has already started questioning rioters who were arrested in several cities to determine whether they committed any federal crimes, the senior Justice Department official said. It is a federal crime to cross state lines to participate in violent riots.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy called in the entire D.C. National Guard late Sunday, adding 1,200 soldiers to join about 500 forces that had already deployed in Washington, according to two Defense Department officials. The soldiers will also be armed, the officials said, citing the potential threat from the protesters.
Additional National Guard troops from nearby states were also being called in to help assist in Washington, officials said.
Units from the 82nd Airborne Division’s Immediate Response Force, normally stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, are also expected to deploy to Washington on Tuesday, according to three Defense Department officials. The officials all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor, Kevin Freking and Ben Fox in Washington, Alan Suderman in Richmond, Va., James LaPorta in Delray Beach, Fla., and Sarah Blake Morgan in West Jefferson, N.C., in contributed to this report.
Prison riots
Correctional systems
Political and civil unrest
Military reserves
Protests and demonstrations
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CEBA rejections mount for Goderich small business owner
Scott Miller CTV News London Videographer
@ScottMillerCTV Contact
GODERICH, ONT. -- Bill Brittain is sadly, getting used to rejection.
“You see the politicians on TV every night saying how much they’re doing for small business, and everyone cares about small business. I’m a small business. Where’s the help? I’m not getting it,” says the owner of Winston’s Men’s Wear in Goderich.
Since July, Brittain has sent in three applications for the CEBA (Canada Emergency Business Account) program, which is essentially a $40,000 federal government loan with $10,000 forgivable if repaid in two years time.
All three of his applications have been rejected. One of the reasons given was that some of his expense receipts were hand-written, and not typed.
“The Canada Revenue Agency accepts them, so I don’t know what their issue was with that. If it was typed, it was allowed, I was told. This is just the type of thing we’re dealing with,” says Brittain.
Brittain says he’s down $80,000 in revenue this year, due to the pandemic, and forced 11 week lock-down this spring. $40,000 would have been a big boost.
Since the CEBA rejections, he’s gone to a bank to refinance, as well as liquidating some assets to keep his business afloat.
“I have more mortgages on my house than I care to think of anymore. That’s how small business is financed. We don’t have millions of dollars in liquidity when we start this,” he says.
Brittain’s accountant says he’s not alone. He had several other businesses rejected for CEBA.
“This is a broad swath of businesses and families affected, and this is their livelihood. There’s not a lot of support. They’re not asking for much. There just asking for liquidity. And remember they were forced to close their doors this spring. That’s not their fault,” says Ron Burt, of Takalo and Burt Chartered Accountants.
ore federal government programs to help businesses cover rent were just announced this week. Brittain thinks he would qualify, but isn’t sure he’s going to apply.
“To be honest, I’m afraid to submit the application, because it’s just so frustrating,” he says.
The federal government says more than 3000 CEBA applications were approved this week, and nearly $32 billion has been paid out to business owners and non-profits to date. Winston’s Men’s Wear in Goderich, is not one of them.
Bill Brittain of Winston’s Men’s Wear in Goderich Ont. on Nov. 27, 2020. (Scott Miller/CTV London)
No government relief program for some small businesses
Rent relief program failing small businesses say advocates
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Woman Fakes Abortion For Gay Best Friend
A woman who faked an abortion—so she could instead raise the baby with her gay best friend—has been sentenced to three years in jail, and has lost custody of her kid.
Her gay friend has also been sentenced to three years in jail. (All names in this case have been withheld by the courts, due to legal reasons.)
The long court battle started in 2010, when a woman got a pregnant by her ex-boyfriend. Not wanting to raise a child with him, she told her ex-boyfriend that she got an abortion.
But instead of following through with the abortion, she and her gay male best friend decided to keep the kid and raise it as their own. The friend was listed on the birth certificate as the child’s father.
Her plan might’ve worked—until a mutual friend of the woman and her ex-boyfriend met the child, and noticed the child was “the spitting image” of the ex-boyfriend.
The real father asked for a DNA test. When the mother and her friend refused to comply, he filed a lawsuit against them. The court quickly ordered a DNA test, and it was clear: the ex-boyfriend was the real father, and he had been duped.
The father said, in his testimony, talked about how devastated he was when his ex-girlfriend told him she got an abortion—and how many hours he had spent mourning the fact that his child had been killed. He described his last four years, since the child was conceived, as “four years of a nightmare.”
The child is now living full-time with her father, and her mother and her adoptive father were convicted of fraud.
The judge in the case had no sympathy for the mother or her friend.
“You persisted in this wicked scheme for a period of almost three years,” the judge scolded, after delivering the sentence. “In all respects this was an elaborate and cynical scheme to provide [the gay friend] with a child.”
He added, “It is clear on any view that this was a planned enterprise which involved a web of deceit and many lies told.”
Are Abortion & Gay Rights American Values?
The Dark Logic Behind Alabama’s Abortion Ban
Is The Abortion Ban A War On Women?
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Hillary Clinton Won’t Say If She Saw Planned Parenthood “Selling Baby Parts” Videos
by Jeff Dunetz | Sep 17, 2015 | Faith/Morality, Politics
In one of the most dramatic moments of the CNN debate on Friday Carly Fiorina challenged President Obama and Hillary Clinton to watch the videos of Planned Parenthood selling pieces of aborted babies.
“As regards Planned Parenthood, anyone who has watched this videotape, I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes. Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, it’s heart beating, it’s legs kicking while someone says we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain. This is about the character of our nation, and if we will not stand up in and force President Obama to veto this bill, shame on us”
On CNN Thursday, Wolf Blitzer asked Ms. Clinton if she saw the videos…Hillary droned on about how wonderful Planned Parenthood was, how it helps women, how abortion is legal…basically everything but answering the question.
Blitzer: All right. Planned parenthood says that video doesn’t — Madame secretary. I want to explain Planned Parenthood says the video doesn’t depict an aborted fetus. They say that was from a miscarriage had nothing to do with planned parenthood. This is an organization you support. First of all have you seen those very, very controversial videos?
Clinton: Well, Wolf, let’s break down what’s happening here. Because I think it’s important. I know that there’s a move on by some of the republicans in the congress to actually shut down the United States government over their demand that we no longer give federal funding to planned parenthood to perform the really necessary health services they do for millions of women. So let’s put aside for a moment here that there is no debate and there should be absolutely no argument that Planned Parenthood does cancer screenings, it helps provide family planning and contraceptive advice. It works to provide, you know, some of the most difficult kinds of counseling when it comes to giving an HIV test, for example. What this is about is the fact that some of the Planned Parenthood facilities perform abortions, which is legal under the laws of the United States. I understand that the Republican Party and particularly the candidates we heard from last night wish that were not the case. Wish that abortion were illegal and they could turn the clock back. So i think we ought to be very clear that Planned Parenthood has served to provide health care, necessary health care, for millions of women. And I think it deserves not only our support but the continuing funding from the federal government so that these women and girls who are seeking the kinds of services that are provided will be able to achieve that.
After she droned on for a while Blitzer asked another question:
Blitzer: Are you confident that Planned Parenthood, madame secretary, or any of its affiliated groups if you will haven’t violated any federal laws?”
Hillary tap-danced around that one also.
Clinton: Well, Wolf, let me tell you what I know. And that is there is a willingness on the part of Planned Parenthood to answer questions. They have been doing so. Some people may not want to hear the answers, but they have certainly put those answers out there into the public arena.
And if the issue, the core issue that some on the stage last night or some in the Congress are trying to promote or trying to raise questions about, has to do with the kind of research that is done legally in the United States. Then that is an issue that goes far beyond any Planned Parenthood example.
So I think it’s important to sort out. There’s a lot of emotion. There’s a lot of accusations that are being hurled about. I think it’s important to sort out and try to actually figure out what is going on. If it’s the services they are trying to shut down, like providing family planning or breast cancer screenings, that is just wrong. And women deserve to be given support to get those services provided.
If they want to shut down the legal provision of abortion services, then they’ve got a bigger problem because obviously Planned Parenthood does not use federal dollars to do that. And if they are more focused on the research that is going on, then that’s a set of issues that certainly is not only about Planned Parenthood. So I would hope that the Republicans and particularly the Republicans in the House led by Speaker Boehner would not put our country and our economy in peril pursuing some kind of emotionally, politically charged partisan attack on Planned Parenthood to shut our government down.”
Hillary was obfuscating because she didn’t watch the horrible videos which treats once-living humans like a commodity to be bought and sold for profit. Why hasn’t Ms. Clinton watched the videos? Perhaps she believes they contain confidential United States information like her emails. The bottom line is that Mrs. Clinton can go on and on about how wonderful Planned Parenthood is while attacking as false, videos she never saw. That is the Clinton way.
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Lieke Schrijvers
PhD candidate in Religious Studies and Gender Studies | Utrecht University & Ghent University
Doing Transgender and Religion
13 Jun 2016 25 Sep 2017 Posted in Geen categorie
Together with a group of researchers from different universities, both from religious studies and gender studies, we have started a project about transgender and religion in the Netherlands. At the NOG Research Day ‘Doing Gender in the Netherlands’ about transgender issues, I presented some of the key issues at stake in this project. This is an adapted version of this presentation, and all input is welcome. If you wish to keep in touch or join this particular project, let me know!
Issues of LGBT tolerance, gender equality and sexual diversity have come to function as central concepts around which Dutch national identity is shaped. The Netherlands is first and foremost a secular, sexually free, emancipated country where the gays are free, safe and protected. In the last decade, the more trans* inclusive notion of LHBT (lesbian, homo/gay, bisexual, transgender), has come to replace the formerly used holebi (homo/gay, lesbian, bisexual) in academia and in Dutch popular culture. However, multiple organizations have pointed at a gap in the acceptance of the ‘T’, transgender people. Indeed, there is more visibility. 2015 was even dubbed the year of transgender by the Volkskrant, referring to the increasing popularity of public figures as Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner (though the last one is a more problematic figure and her popularity has been widely discussed by trans activists, see here or here). Media visibility notwithstanding, the public representation of transgender continues to focus on medical aspects of the transition (such as the reality-show Hij is een Zij), and misses a nuanced approach to the various experiences, that trans people might have. When the notion of religion enters these debates it is often perceived as threatening to these ideals of ‘sexual freedom’. As a consequence, religion continues to be met with hesitance in political discourse and as well in genderstudies. Religion is one element that is not present in relation to transgender in public discourse, and the importance of faith and religion in the lives of LGBTs is often overlooked or ignored. Coming from religious studies and anthropology, there is a broad field of scholarship about the relation of gender and religion. However, here it is not uncommon that ‘gender’ refers to the study ciswomen, in which case the project of ‘doing gender’ is limited to ‘doing women’, or ‘doing gays’ at best.
So overall, religion and transgender are hardly put in the same sentence in Dutch politics and academia, which is why we decided to bring together scholars and social partners from different academic en political spaces to try to understand these complex relations and hopefully create more understanding and space for gender diversity in religious studies and religious institutes.
As an example, two cases about transwomen and leadership in Christian churches in the Netherlands form a starting point for research. In 2015, transwoman Rhianna Gralike resigned from her position as secretary of a small Roman-Catholic parish nearby Utrecht, after months of struggle with the church board and discussions with Dutch archbishop van Eijk. According to van Eijk, her ‘lifestyle’ is incompatible with the teachings of the Roman-Catholic church, and as such she felt forced to resign. Omroep Flevoland has reported most about this case, no attention has been given to this in national media. The second case is based on my own research. In 2014 I interviewed Monique, who came out as a transwoman in a Protestant church where she had been active as a church elder, which is a part of the church board and leadership. Because her church only allowed men to participate in the church board, she was asked to resign from this position. For both Rhianna and Monique, their identification and self-expression as woman did not only have consequences for their personal lives, but directly influenced their role and authority in church. For both, their leading position in the church was questioned because of their recognizable trans* identification. In the case of Rhianna, identifying as a transwoman was considered an abnormality, which conflicted with the norms and values of the Catholic church. The language used by church representatives, specifically archbishop Eijk, largely followed anti-gay discourses within the church as transgender was considered yet another deviant LGBT sexuality, a lifestyle even. At this moment, the resignation of Rhianna has yet to be brought to court as case of discrimination. Monique on the other hand, although her identification had similar consequences for her position in church, came to this through a very different experience. She did not consider the decision of the church board an act of discrimination, which was the case with Rhianna. As the rules for church leadership were pre-set (no women were allowed in the leadership of the church), the change in her position in church was considered inevitable and a sensible consequence of her new role as a woman. That she was asked to resign from her function was painful, but she felt strengthened by this as well, as the incident confirmed the acceptance of her gender identification in her community and by the church leadership. The cases of Rhianna and Monique, members of the two largest religious denominations in the Netherlands, show how the position of transwomen is negotiated by both religious structures as well as by transwomen themselves. The quick question of why they do not simply leave their church, seems inadequate in this context, at least I wish not to stop there. For many trans people, religion provides a community, family and support in daily life, as well as an functioning as an important space to practice their individual faith. These are both examples of transwomen who nowadays openly identify as woman in their religious communities. There are many trans* people who do not feel supported to express themselves as their desired gender in their community. It is thus not only important to allow space for trans* individuals in church, but there should be more openness for discussion from the start. Starting from the stories of transgender people themselves seems the most important task. On broader level, I propose that an in depth study of trans* narratives and experiences in relation to their faith might offer new insights into the current debate about religion and sexual rights, gender equality and emancipation in the Netherlands and as such will enhance the academic analysis of these debates.
What do you think? If we wish to continue this project, what should we keep in mind?
And a question that came up during the NOG day: how can we be critical about discrimination in religious institutes while not disregarding religion altogether? What does it mean to ‘do’ religion from a queer feminist perspective?
This paper is an adapted version of a presentation given at the NOG Research Day on Friday 10 June 2016 Doing Gender in The Netherlands: TRANS* approaches, methods & concepts at Leiden University.
More information about the project see here.
For more information about transgender and Christianity see the LCC project Voor U niet verborgen.
christianitygender studiesqueer studiesreligious studiesthe netherlandstransgender
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Transgender and Religion
Beyond Religion versus Emancipation
Create a website or blog at WordPress.com Lieke Schrijvers
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Baptism at LifePoint
Directions and Times
On Campus Volunteering
Care Classes
Student LifeGroups
Local Service Opportunities
New Pastor
I am so excited to announce that we will begin Sunday School on October 4 at 10:30 a.m. Nursery, Preschool, Elementary, and Special Friends will be meeting. All that you have to do is show up and we will be ready to worship and learn together!!
If you and your family are not ready to attend in person, we will continue to provide Sundays At Home, including all your kids lessons at lifepointplano.org/kidslessons.
In order to better serve your children and follow the guidelines set by Texas Executive Order GA-29, all individuals 6th grade and above will be required to wear a mask inside the Kids' Building. Leaders will be required to wear masks at all times when they are in the classrooms.
We have implemented new safety protocols to maintain as much safety as possible for your children:
As always, all classrooms and common areas will be cleaned and disinfected before every Sunday morning.
Kids are not required to wear a mask; however, they can.
All kids and leaders will sanitize their hands upon entering and exiting the classroom; we have disinfectant wipes to make this easier for younger kids.
Every classroom will ask you to record a cell phone number so that we can contact you during worship in case of an emergency.
We have redesigned classrooms by removing a number of toys, we have also created a separate play space for younger kids to play. This will give our kids an opportunity to have fun and make friends while maximizing their safety.
Kids will not interact with other classrooms for any reason, including restroom use. They will be seperated to maintain social distance.
The classrooms will only be used for that specific Sunday School class; no other children or adults will use that classroom during the week.
I am so excited to have kids back in our building and cannot wait to hear happy kids running around. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Josh Longmire
josh.longmire@lifepointplano.org
I am so excited to announce that we will begin Sunday School on October 4 at 10:30 a.m. Nursery, Preschool, Elementary, and Special Friends will be meeting. All that you have to do is register to attend. Please go online to lifepointplano.org/kids to register.
Heather Aars
Heather Aars met Jesus early in her life; and as an adult, fully surrendered her life to Christ, experiencing the fullness of His love. She’s attended LifePoint Church for about 5 years, happy to have found her church family. She’s served for several years as a Stephen Minister, which provides 1:1 Christ-centered care to those who are hurting. She was humbled when asked to join LifePoint’s board of directors a little over a year ago. She also faithfully attends a weekly women’s Bible study.
In her professional life, Heather has been a practicing CPA for 11 years. She began her career at KPMG, one of the big four CPA firms, where she learned the essential skills to become an industry CPA. From there, she moved to the healthcare industry and progressed her career for 9 years before being called into the ministry of Sky Ranch where she currently serves as the Director of Finance and Accounting. Sky Ranch is a Christian nonprofit ministry that’s dedicated to leading youth and families to know and follow Christ. This role has been a major blessing in her life as it has given her numerous opportunities to grow in her faith that she would not otherwise have received. In her down time, she loves being with friends and family, traveling, hiking, fishing, kayaking, reading, watching soccer, and painting.
Bradford Studer
Bradford Studer grew up in Chicago, Illinois where he accepted Jesus at the age of 15. He has been an active member of LifePoint Church since 2004 where he has participated and led several Bible studies, as well as having served on the Board of Directors for over 3 years. He is married to Joana Studer who serves on the Worship Team and they have a daughter, age 13 and a son, age 10.
Bradford has worked in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions for the past 20+ years. During this time he has also served and operated as an economic and financial consultant to businesses in a variety of industries including renewable fuels, infrastructure development, aviation services, and private equity. He enjoys freediving and spearfishing as well as being a licensed private pilot.
Charles Evans
Charles Evans grew up in Oklahoma City and became a Christian at age 29 when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He has been an active member of LifePoint Church for over 20 years where he has served on the tech team for 18+ years and the Board of Directors for the past 9 years. Charles and his wife Betty have 2 grown children and 8 grandchildren.
Charles is a petroleum engineer who has worked in various technical, financial, and management roles in the oil and gas industry for over 40 years. He enjoys playing tennis with his wife, daily walks, and traveling to visit the grandkids who live in Iowa and New York.
Becky Dennis
Becky Dennis was raised in a Christian family and found the Lord at 14 years old. She worked for a Methodist church as an assistant youth director for 2 years and has done mission work abroad. She has been part of LifePoint Church for 8+ years and has served on the Worship and Prayer teams. She’s been part of the Board of Directors for 3+ years. She’s married to Gary Dennis, local PGA golf pro and has one grown son who recently graduated from Wheaton College (and 4 adorable orange tabbies).
In her professional life, Becky worked as a senior executive in the corporate world for 26 years with focus on corporate strategy, sales, marketing, account development and partnerships/alliances. In 2017, she became a partner in a growth strategy consulting firm. Becky has served on several boards in the past and is currently the board president for Encephalitis411, a nonprofit for brain injury. She is also the author of a top-rated Amazon book called “Brain Wreck.” In her “spare” time, she enjoys global travel, golf, music, painting and being with family.
Stephen Chock, Ph.D.
Stephen Chock, Ph.D. was on the original team that moved to Plano in 1988 with Pastor George to plant LifePoint Church. He served as Associate Pastor here, leading the Youth Group and Care/Counseling ministries through 2005. Born and raised in Hawaii as a Catholic, he accepted Jesus in earnest in high school and began his counseling career in Hawaii schools. A former Cross Country and Track coach, he helped plant a Young Life ministry in Hilo before leaving the islands for graduate school at Ohio State University.
His professional life has been in counseling, evaluation and rehabilitation of neurologic diagnoses. He was a neuropsychologist at Baylor Hospital on the brain injury units for 18 years and at the Minirth-Meier Christian psychiatry clinics for 5 years. Since 2005 he has been an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary teaching psychology and supervising counselors in the Masters in Biblical Counseling department. He maintains an active counseling and neuropsychology practice at Hope For The Heart, a Christian ministry and counseling clinic in Plano. Stephen and Ellen have Jasmine and Jonathan, who are and will be University of Texas students.
Leo Carter, Jr.,
Leo Carter, Jr., is originally from St. Louis, Missouri where he was raised Catholic. He was a member of the Boy Scouts until the age of 18, where he volunteered in homeless shelters, food pantries and newspaper drives in his community. He also attended the Lutheran Church where he often met for scout meetings and helped in the food pantry. Leo has been a member of LifePoint Church for 8 years and has served on the Vocal Worship team for 7+ years. He has been part of the Board of Directors since August of 2019. He is married with two young boys, two adult daughters and two adult sons.
In his professional life, he has worked for 30+ years in medical organizations as a Certified Nurse Assistant, Certified Surgical Technician, as a Registered Nurse in heart and lung transplant ICUs, travel nursing in various levels of care, a performance improvement specialist for hospital organizations, an RN Case Manager and Utilization Review RN. Leo is featured in the book “Real-Life Stories to Help You Transform Your Workplace and Your Life: FISH! TALES” by Stephen C. Lundin, Ph.D., et al. Leo enjoys travel, “disc” golf, singing karaoke and spending time with his family and friends.
Kate McBride
Kate McBride found Jesus to be her forever friend growing up in the Episcopal church in southern California. The teachings at LifePoint Church and life challenges moved her to drop Him from her head to her heart. A member of LifePoint since 1996, Kate considers it a great privilege to have served God and His church as the Board Chair for 14 years and a welcome leader for LPKids since 2004. She has experience on several committees including Finance, HR, and building steering committees. She was a leader in campaigns where God provided the Big House, LPKids building and “Beyond Our Walls.”
Kate is the VP-Finance and member of the Executive Committee of Marvin F. Poer and Company, a national property tax consulting services firm, where she is responsible for finance, accounting, tax, human resources, and legal affairs. Kate is a licensed CPA and CGMA. She is past president of the Dallas Chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI) and active in various professional organizations. Kate and her husband Wil are on a quest to see the world and are grateful to have visited over 50 countries so far. She is also a lifetime ballerina who trains in classical ballet
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Home > Vol 19 (2020) > Xiao
Cognitive Translation Studies: Models and methods at the cutting edge
Cognitive Translation Studies:
Models and methods at the cutting edge
Kairong Xiao
College of International Studies, Southwest University
kairongxiao@163.com
Ricardo Muñoz Martín
MC2 Lab, Università di Bologna
ricardo.munoz@unibo.it
Several indicators seem to suggest that, through nearly six decades of development, Cognitive Translation Studies (CTS) may be taking shape as an autonomous field of study. The main challenges ahead seem to be building sounder theoretical models and carrying out more rigorous methodological scrutiny. These two strands converge as central themes in the 11 contributions to this special issue of LANS-TTS. To provide a context for theoretical modelling and to frame critical discussions of the methods included in this volume, we first trace the present landscape of CTS and how it evolved so as to test Holmes’ criteria for disciplines: founding new channels of communication and sharing a “disciplinary utopia”. The contributions are arranged into four thematic categories as applied to CTS, namely, scientometrics, framing or reframing our field, the reliability and validity of popular research methods, and new methods or novel approaches. This article closes with a call to reflect on some fundamental issues on the next steps of humankind regarding communication, with ever-growing societal demands and expectations that call for refreshing our notions of translation in the context of increasingly diversified forms of multilectal mediated communication.
Key words: Cognitive Translation Studies (CTS); Cognitive Translation and Interpreting Studies (CTIS); models; methodology; criticism; reliability; validity
Since the 1960s, shortly after the inception of cognitive science, the interest in studying what happens in the minds of translators and interpreters started to take shape gradually. That initial interest developed into what we now call Cognitive Translation Studies (CTS), a research realm devoted to studying the cognitive aspects of communicative production, reception and interaction of all participants in events where more than one language variety or lect is used (Halverson & Muñoz, 2020; Muñoz & Martín, 2020). We could have also used the term Cognitive Translation & Interpreting Studies (CTIS) because these labels are often meant to be exact synonyms. Defenders of CTS argue that there are many more tasks that are not explicitly present in the term but also covered – for example, post-editing, subtitling, transcreation and audio description – and that, in the term CTS, translation is used as a hypernym. Proponents of CTIS hold that interpreting research has an older and clearer cognitive tradition, well anchored in the social sciences, that interpreting includes most or all oral and signed tasks, and that many (written) translation researchers often forget their professed comprehensiveness and focus on written-only aspects and phenomena. Both sides are right. We prefer CTS over CTIS, simply for economy, as we did in the title of this issue of Linguistica Antverpiensia, New Series: Themes in Translation Studies, but from now on in this text we shall use CTIS to underscore our strong commitment to oral, written and signed language integration in CTIS and also to remind readers that our civilization is becoming more and more oral, thanks to audiovisual communications.
According to Olalla-Soler et al. (this volume), the earliest CTIS publication was an article on the psychology of translation published in 1910. They have also documented some publications in the 1950s and the 1960s, a notable growth in the 1970s and the 1980s, and a considerably larger increase since 1996. That is, they suggest that CTIS toddled its first steps between the 1960s and the 1980s, followed by a rapid growth and entrenchment since the mid-1990s. The bottom line might be that the steps forward have been both steady and steadily bigger. Furthermore, there is very little overlap with the topics studied in other areas of Translation Studies (TS) – even when the label is shared, as in the case of reception – and scarce are the cross-citations between CTIS and the rest of TS. CTIS has proved, indeed, to be quite autonomous within TS. Should we then consider CTIS as a discipline apart from TS?
In his article on the name and nature of TS, Holmes (1972/2000) laid out his vision of a discipline that would open the linguistic status quo of the previously unnamed TS to a wider humanistic tradition and defined two standards by which to judge the legitimacy of a discipline to become or consider itself autonomous: establishing new channels of communication and developing a new disciplinary utopia, that is, “a shared interest in a common set of problems, approaches, and objectives on the part of a new grouping of researchers” (p. 172). Let us consider how CTIS has fared in the light of these two standards.
2. Channels of communication
In terms of communication channels, it is not an overstatement to declare that CTIS has boomed. Muñoz (2014) already considered it a boom when he listed 11 CTIS books in the seven years between 2006 and 2013. In the following seven years, edited books with independent chapters by different authors include at least:
In addition to edited volumes, publications in scientific periodicals may be added as indicators of a research field’s maturity. CTIS seems to have been a welcome topic for TS journals because there have been least ten special or thematic issues published on CTIS and even specific topics within CTIS in this period, including:[1]
There have also appeared a few monographies, including, at least:
We cannot be exhaustive – and not only because publications in languages other than English are more difficult to trace. For instance, there may be as many contributions in generic anthologies and journals (i.e., not exclusively on CTIS). Be that as it may, from what we have been able to locate, since 2014 there have been more than 300 articles or chapters, an average of more than 40 per year – a 50% increase when compared to the previous seven years! If we include relevant research in Machine Translation (MT) and Natural Language Processing, bilingualism, and neuroscience, we are probably reaching the psychological landmark of one paper per week. This is impressive but, essentially, not new.
Nevertheless, an international network – Translation ž Research ž Empiricism ž Cognition (TREC) – has since 2010 linked a prominent set of CTIS researchers, who now have many opportunities to meet regularly and present their works in several conference series, including, since 2014, the CSTIC-initiated annual International Conference on Cognitive Research on Translation and Interpreting (ICCRTI); and, since 2017, TREC’s biennial International Conference on Translation, Interpreting and Cognition (ICTIC). Furthermore, in 2018, a new journal was started devoted to CTIS, Translation, Cognition & Behavior, which is publishing two issues per year. Another journal has just been launched in Chongqing: 语言、翻译与认知 (Studies in Language, Translation & Cognition). This is all new. In sum, CTIS meets and probably excels as a new discipline according to the criterion of new channels of communication.
3. In search of a new disciplinary utopia
In terms of Holmes’ “disciplinary utopia”, CTIS researchers generally share the overall objective of studying cognition in multilectal mediated tasks. As the central goal of CTIS is to “model the cognitive processes of translation” (Risku, 2014, p. 334), researchers have attempted to build models to depict aspects of translational cognition, based mostly on the concepts and theoretical frameworks borrowed from neighboring disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, and linguistics, or from some sub-disciplines such as writing, reading and language technology (O’Brien, 2013). In fact, interdisciplinary inspiration is an outstanding feature of model building in CTIS.
Over approximately six decades, we have come a long and tangled way. There are several takes on our evolution through the years, some dividing it into three or four stages. We will add to these views by offering yet another account in five stages, conscious as we are that none of these accounts can on its own fully explain the rich and complex conceptual development of our thriving research realm. Our story starts when a bunch of scholars, mainly linguists, takes up the challenge handed out to them by the ALPAC report explaining how human beings translate (Muñoz, 2016a).
In the first period, between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s – before the foundation of TS – we witnessed the first attempts to develop theoretical models for cognition in translation and interpreting. In Europe, the most prominent schools were the Science of Translation, by scholars in the Forschungskollektiv Übersetzungswissenschaft of the University of Leipzig, and the Interpretive Theory of Translation, by scholars at today’s Paris University of Sorbonne Nouvelle. Several international conferences were held in Leipzig between 1965 and 1986, but probably the meeting that was more representative of the times was held in Venice in 1977 (Gerver & Sinaiko, 1978).
With a strong influence by Chomskyan generative linguistics, the Leipzig scholars aimed at developing translation grammars, with a focus on setting up the transfer rules for switching language codes (Muñoz & Martín, 2020). They proscribed the study of literary translation but tried to make their account valid for both translation and interpreting. In 1964, Otto Kade (1968), a conference interpreter, defended the first-ever PhD dissertation on translation. They soon realized that (generative) linguistics could not provide all the answers. As Eugene Nida (1964) had done before, Jäger (1975) suggested that correspondence between text stretches need not necessarily be formal, that the notion of equivalence (that they had inherited from the early stages of MT) might not be sufficient or adequate to account for what people do.
Meanwhile, in 1968 Danica Seleskovitch published her first book on interpreting. She later worked together with Lederer to develop their approach as a challenge to the prevailing view that translation was no more than a linguistic activity. Basing their work on introspection and on the observation of (mainly simultaneous) interpreting, they focused on interpreters – rather than on texts – and developed a three-step model of interpreting (and, later, translation); this model consisted of comprehension, reformulation and production. The intermediate stage happened in the black box, and they hypothesized that in the black box meaning became deverbalized.
In our view, the Leipzig and the Paris schools, as they came to be known, were similar in that they both were deductive and rationalistic, and they crucially differed in that Leipzig focused on translating and drew from linguistics, whereas Paris centered on interpreters and borrowed mainly from psychology. They both fell equally short in delivering sound progress, and this paved the way for widening the realm to include the rest of the approaches in departments of languages, literatures and cultures, our new hosts. We also think, however, that they made huge and positive steps to foster and shape CTIS. We are enormously indebted to researchers such as Delisle, Harris, Kade, Komissarov, Levý, Ludskanov, Neubert and Wotjak, and all the members of that first generation who blazed today’s trodden trails.
The second period of CTIS started in the mid-1980s, when we witnessed a distinction that would prevail in the following decades. Probably inspired by precedent splits between basic versus theoretical research in MT (the first based on trial-and-error learning; the second addressing fundamental overarching questions from a more philosophical perspective) and between applied and “hyphenated” linguistics versus theoretical linguistics in generativism, CTIS – then still without a name – would split into two lines: one more empirically driven, the other more theoretical, as if they could survive separately from each other.
On the one hand, a group of (written) translation researchers crossed the front lines and adopted psychology – actually, psycholinguistics – as a referential framework. Following Sandrock (1982), this avant-garde borrowed Think-Aloud Protocols (Ericsson & Simon, 1980) as a data-collection method and presented their works at an International Symposium on Discourse and Cognition in Translation and Second Language Acquisition held at the University of Hamburg in August 1984 (House & Blum-Kulka, 1986). Most researchers in this line implicitly, and sometimes acritically, adopted the prevailing information-processing views as they centered on empirical testing. The foundations, therefore, remained unscathed, while these researchers often focused on translators’ problem-solving ways.
On the other hand, from the beginning to the mid-1990s several cognitive models of translation popped up, such as Neubert’s (1994) and Wilss’ (1996), pointing to a need to articulate our own, “internal” vision of the field, as Seleskovitch (1968) had argued before. These models were inherently inspired by one or more neighboring disciplines, mostly based on information-processing views, largely conceptual, and seemingly distant from empirical support or refutation. For instance, drawing on constructs and notions from psycholinguistics and artificial intelligence (AI, or natural language processing), Bell (1991) mixed generative notions – such as successive syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic processing – with British linguistics and psychological constructs such as short-term and long-term memory (p. 44) to develop a translation process model comprising two steps: analysis and synthesis (p. 46).
Gutt (1991) was more successful with his coherent Chomskyan views. He developed a model of translation based on Sperber and Wilson’s (1986) relevance theory of language use (that drew, in turn, from Fodor’s views on language and meaning). Gutt (1991) also adopted a classical, information-processing view: he was concerned with competence as a mental faculty, not with real behavior, and thought of the mind as modular. He also suggested that context is a set of premises; that thoughts are mental representations in propositional form; that meaning can be quantified and computed in terms of the sum of implicatures and explicatures; and that translators must understand texts in terms of their original contexts or else achieve optimal interpretive resemblance between two mental representations (passim).
The focus on a methodology that entailed the use of voice for collecting data from the working memories of participants would sideline interpreting, fostering further separation between their lines of work. With the newcomers into the recently established TS making it drift rapidly towards the humanities, interpreting researchers experienced a rise of pro-independence arguments, coined the label Interpreting Studies and, ultimately, founded the journals The Interpreters' Newsletter in 1988 and Interpreting in 1996. Ever since Ingrid Pinter (Kurz) finished her first-ever dissertation on interpreting in 1969, interpreting researchers had been moderately interested in neurological aspects while their translation counterparts had ignored them, so as to foster parallels with AI. It was not until a research group in Trieste formed around Fabbro and Gran (e.g., 1994, 1997) made neuroscientific aspects of interpreting the very core of their research that the brain made its way onto the CTIS scene. However, there was a new player in the field: community interpreting. Brian Harris (e.g., 1977) promoted the new conference series, The Critical Link, and the center of gravity of interpreting research would begin to move towards sociological approaches.
Meanwhile, TS was also thriving: Target was founded in 1989; the EST in 1992; Perspectives in 1993; The Translator in 1995. CTIS researchers studying translation in turn felt the pressure and coined the label Process Studies, as opposed to “product studies”, which soon became the now outdated touchstone to distinguish CTIS from the rest of TS. Out of the many merits of this second generation of researchers we would like to underscore the soft, data-driven move from introspective to observational procedures and the strong commitment to empiricism that has been a distinctive feature of CTIS ever since.
A third phase seems to have started symbolically in the mid-1990s, at the time when two more conferences opened promising venues and steered progress towards reunification. The first one focused on interpreting and was held at Turku in 1994 (see Gile, 1995b); that fostered scientific research and multidisciplinarity. The second conference was the seventh Kent Psychology Forum (Danks et al., 1997), which staged both a reunification of the translation and interpreting lines of work and a welcome-back of researchers from neighboring disciplines. It was becoming increasingly clear that cognitive approaches to written and oral multilectal mediated communication were better off together than apart, and also that neither linguistics nor psychology were separately enough to work as referential frameworks for them. When better data-collection methods were devised at the turn of the century, such as keylogging (e.g., Translog, Jakobsen & Schou, 1999), the studies grew both in number and in the number of participants. Comparing different groups became the sign of the times, and notions from linguistics and psychology would mix from then on.
Most process models had been developed with (mainly, if not only) written translation in mind. In this period, one of the few models for interpreting to become popular, inspiring and influential was the efforts model postulated by Gile (1995a). Drawing on the notion from cognitive psychology of a limited processing capacity, Gile developed a triple-effort model (listening, production and short-term memory efforts) for simultaneous interpreting to help interpreters understand interpreting “difficulties and select appropriate strategies and tactics” (1995, p. 191). The model may have been superseded (cf. Seeber, 2011, 2013), but Gile (1999) argued that his goals had not been “[...] to describe the simultaneous interpreting process, but to account for errors and omissions [...]” (p. 154). In doing so, by focusing on the widespread interest in problem solving, he had aligned interpreting research back with translation research.
Also in 1995, Kiraly developed an integrated pedagogical model of social and cognitive translation processes. In this model, the social involvement of translators in acts of communication and their cognitive activities were intertwined. Kiraly (1995) suggested they should be investigated together. While the cognitive aspect in his model represented the then mainstream ideas in cognitive science and psycholinguistics, his inclusion of social aspects hinted at the role of social interactions and situational factors in translation. Five years later, Kiraly (2000) would denounce classical information-processing approaches to favor social constructivism. His move paralleled the work of Shreve, but also of several other researchers, including Halverson and Risku, who espoused different notions of the mind and its relationship with language and communication (Muñoz, 2016a, note 5).
CTIS was growing and diversifying. The first CTIS research groups were founded – such as LETRA (Belo Horizonte), PACTE (Barcelona), PETRA (Granada), TRAP (Copenhagen), TRAPROS (Stockholm) – and some of them, together with prominent “lone wolves”, joined the first international (European) network, EXpert Probing through Empirical Research on TranslatIon procesSEs (EXPERTISE), founded by Antin Fougner Rydning. Since the turn of the century, most international general TS conferences have had at least one panel devoted to CTIS. This includes those organized by IATIS, founded in 2004.
On 10 June 2005, Arnt L. Jakobsen founded the Centre for Research and Innovation in Translation and Translation Technology (CRITT) at the Copenhagen Business School, which he directed until 2014. In doing so, he started a fourth stage in the development towards CTIS. Under his leadership, CRITT researchers and some of their associates worked on two EU-funded projects: Eye-to-IT (2006–2009), which focused on empirical research that combined keylogging and eye-tracking, and Cognitive Analysis and Statistical Methods for Advanced Computer Assisted Translation (CASMACAT, 2011–2014), which aimed to develop an interactive and comprehensive translators’ workbench whose professional users would become post-editors of the output of an integrated MT application. In contrast, a 2009 conference at the University Jaume I (Castellón, Spain) revived interest in Harris’ (1997) notion of natural translation (Blasco & Jiménez, 2011). The interest in non-professional translation and interpreting would catch on: in 2012, the University of Bologna hosted the first of a biennial series of conferences on non-professional interpreting and translation where cognitive approaches featured prominently.
The CRITT became the new worldwide hub for CTIS, very much as the University of Leipzig's IALT had once been. In translation, this stage was marked by the prevalence of Translation Process Research (TPR), a CTIS research strand seemingly unconcerned with its inherited information-processing foundations but with a very strong and welcome drive towards developing and testing the new technological tools of the trade for translators. In 2010, both Carl and Muñoz published the basics of two theoretical models. Carl’s (2010) was an update and clarification of classical information-processing views, with non-selective, subliminal, dissipative word and phrase translation systems contributing to the task and regulated by a translation automaton flagging translation problems and whose activity could be measured in terms of entropy (Carl, Tonge & Lacruz, 2019). Muñoz's (2010) was inspired by situated (4EA) cognition and did not have much impact then. His model conceives of translating as a fuzzy, situated human endeavor dynamically emerging from the metacognitively steered interaction of bilinguals with texts and the environment, favored by adaptive entrenchment (Muñoz & González, in press). However, two further factors fostered an important leap forward. First, Halverson (2010) suggested a new, broader view of the field and coined Cognitive Translation Studies as an umbrella term that would welcome all strands in CTIS. Second, in the same year, Amparo Hurtado founded the international network TREC as a forum for promoting, sharing and disseminating CTIS research and fostering cooperation.
As in previous stages, a new period may have started with a symposium, held at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 2015 (Muñoz, 2016a) where researchers working on classical approaches together with others focused on ergonomics, human–computer interaction, addressees’ reception, cognitive aspects of dialogue interpreting and qualitative approaches staged the widening of TPR into CTIS. In 2014, the Centre for Studies of Translation, Interpreting and Cognition (CSTIC) of the University of Macau had opened its doors, and has ever since carried out formidable work in expanding CTIS throughout continental China. In 2016, the Translation & Cognition Center (TRA&CO) of the University of Mainz at Germersheim was founded, which has bridged CTIS and neuroscientific approaches to bilingualism. This is also happening at the University of Stockholm and in the tandem between ZHAW and the University of Zurich.
At the start of the third decade of this century, CTIS is one of the most active and the fastest-growing areas in TS (Jääskeläinen & Lacruz, 2018). It boasts an expanding research community with quite a number of research centers and laboratories at universities around the globe, including the Center for Research and Innovation in Translation and Translation Technology (CRITT, Kent State University), the CSTIC (University of Macau), the Experimental Laboratory on Translation (LETRA, UFMG), the Laboratory for Multilectal Mediated Communication & Cognition (MC2 Lab, University of Bologna), the research group Socio-Cognitive Translation Studies: Processes and Networks (SOCOTRANS, University of Vienna) and TRA&CO (University of Mainz at Germersheim). Less formally structured foci of research but equally active in authoring ground-breaking CTIS studies can be found at universities in Antwerp, Beijing, Dublin, Geneva, Hong Kong, Poznań, Shanghai, Sydney, Warsaw and Zurich, to name but a few.
Today CTIS comprises different paradigms – such as Computational Translatology (Carl, 2010, 2013), often overlapping with the old label of Translation Process Research (Jakobsen, 2014) and Cognitive Translatology (Muñoz, 2010, 2017; Muñoz & González in press) – various research domains, such as reception studies (Kruger et al., 2016; Szarkowska & Gerber-Morón, 2018) and workplace studies (Ehrensberger-Dow, 2014; Risku, 2014; Teixeira & O'Brien, 2017), and many particular topics, such as problem-solving (e.g., Nitzke, 2019), cognitive effort and load (e.g., Szarkowska et al., 2016; Vieira, 2014), attention and cognitive control (e.g., Dong & Li, 2020), skill acquisition and development (e.g., Massey, 2019), stress management (e.g., Korpal, 2016), emotions (e.g., Rojo & Ramos, 2016) and multimodality (e.g., Tuominen, et al., 2018).
This is how we got here. This is where we are now.
4. Here and now
In their article, Mapping Cognitive Translation and Interpreting Studies: A bibliometric approach, Christian Olalla-Soler, Javier Franco Aixelà and Sara Rovira-Esteva offer an overview of the CTIS landscape based on scientometrics spanning 60 years (1956–2015) of publications. They retrieved from BITRA 2,128 publications on CTIS and 77,714 on the rest of TS, and built an ad hoc database for their statistical analysis. They mapped the historical evolution and disciplinary characteristics of CTIS, with a focus on the research topics, languages of publication, publication formats, authorship patterns, citation and productivity. Their data suggests that CTIS started to gather momentum at the end of 1970s; that most studies are based on linguistics and psychology; that eye-tracking and think-aloud account so far for almost half of the data-collection methods; that co-authorship in CTIS is more frequent than in TS, and that – unsurprisingly, in view of the fact that CTIS is a smaller but more focused research area – the CTIS documents receive more citations than TS documents. These findings support the view that CTIS is gaining its legitimacy as a sub-discipline of TS, as it has its own citation, authorship and readership patterns.
Our account of the evolution of CTIS was based on our interpretation of their data and aimed to outline the main thread lines of a history for CTIS that shows that, through calm and storm and with zigzags in the rudder, a growing team of ever more and ever more diverse rowers have joined efforts to reach the same disciplinary utopia. By Holmes’ standards, these developments seem to suggest an emerging and increasingly autonomous body of knowledge. Still, however flattering it might be to declare CTIS an autonomous discipline, and however reasonable it may sound to argue for staying as a branch of TS, the issue simply misses the point. We are an applied, interdisciplinary endeavor and it is results, not pompous declarations, what will legitimize us. Sixty years of work have had a modest impact on translator and interpreter training, but have not led to many more contributions that are substantial. It may be a cliché to write that at this time we have learned to ask the right questions, but we still face challenges such as the need to build and test theoretical models to account for the peculiarities of translational cognition, and the critical assessment and streamlining of our research methods. The collection of articles in this volume of Linguistica Antverpiensia, New Series – Themes in Translation Studies dives into these areas.
4.1. Framing and reframing CTIS
In his masterplan design of TS as an autonomous discipline, Holmes (1972/2000) suggested a branch of process-oriented studies devoted to translation psychology or psycho-translation studies [sic]. As a multifaceted study of the human mind and behavior, psychology is more inclusive than what Translation Process Research implied. Jääskeläinen (2012) suggests that translation psychology comprises not only the translating mind, but also the mental workings of cognition, affect and emotion. It also studies translators’ social interaction and readers’ response to the translated product (namely, reception studies). Jääskeläinen (2012) concludes that “there is a psychological angle to most translation-related phenomena” (p. 192) and that a translation psychology can be a very fruitful multi-disciplinary research field. Bolaños’ (2016) understanding of translation psychology is even more inclusive, covering the translators’ emotional, cognitive, behavioral and social factors at play while translating.
Lin Zhu, in her paper A Critical Review of the Research on Translation Psychology: Theoretical and Methodological Approaches, offers a critical review of different research frameworks within the sphere of such a translation psychology. She identifies four approaches to translation psychology: cognitive, social, Gestalt and embodied. Zhu hints at integrated research on translation psychology, with the translator as the center to highlight embodied cognition and social interactions, a position that rules out the study of other participants in communicative events.
Translators and interpreters were once compared to bilinguals and are now often described as trained bilinguals. Several scholars (e.g., Diamond & Shreve, 2010; Halverson, 2013) have called for integrating bilingualism with translation, but research in this area remains scarce. In the article Current Research in Bilingualism and its Implications for Cognitive Translation and Interpreting Studies, John W. Schwieter, Julia Festman and Aline Ferreira discuss research on some concepts and constructs from bilingualism that hold promise to complement both empirical research and theoretical models in CTIS – namely, lexical access, the multilingual mental lexicon, language regulation and control, and the debate on a bilingual advantage. Of particular interest for CTIS researchers are the questions of how a purported bilingual mental lexicon might be organized and accessed, and how the bilinguals manage two languages at once. In turn, CTIS may help bilingualism in apprehending cognitive advantages in bilinguals that seem related to use rather than the mere fact of speaking two languages. Schwieter, Festman and Ferreira also suggest some potential areas for research, including directionality (L2→L1 or L1→L2) in translation, and multilinguals’ individual differences in performance. They conclude that research on bilingualism and CTIS has a fruitful interface and that the empirical research on the way in which various bilingual experiences are linked to translation performance and other higher processing demands holds promise.
The social front of CTIS is also expanding. Several scholars – especially, Hanna Risku – have used some socio-cognitive models such as Latour’s (2007) Actor Network Theory (Buzelin, 2005) and Schweizer’s (1996) dynamic network model to take in both environmental and mental aspects in the analysis (e.g., Risku, 2014). Most cognitive approaches to translation seem to hold a view that the mental processes and the social processes are separate entities (such as in the information-processing paradigm) or that one is embedded in the other, as suggested in the distinction between acts and events (but see Muñoz, 2016b). Nevertheless, they both adopt a perspective centered on the individual. Based on the notion that human cognition is fundamentally social and relational and that there is no clear-cut break between an individual mind and its social environment, the article Social Representations Theory: An Approach to Studying Translators’ Socio-Cognitive Processes by Sari Hokkanen suggests a model of social representation to study translators’ socio-cognitive processes. According to Moscovici’s (1984) social representations theory, in our knowledge construction, the unfamiliar is made familiar through the processes of anchoring and objectification, while social representations are formed and adapted through three intertwined processes: sociogenesis (at the level of social groups), ontogenesis (at the level of individuals) and microgenesis (through social interactions). Hokkanen shows how social representations theory could be applied to analyze translators’ conceptualizations of ST authors and TT readers and argues that this theory offers a comprehensive theoretical model for studying the social construction of knowledge with an integration of individuals, social groups, and the social interaction and embodied actions that link individuals to the social environment. It is no doubt an innovative theoretical model that merits further empirical support.
4.2. Validity and reliability of CTIS research
Validity, according to Guba and Lincoln (2005), is a criterion by which to judge whether one’s research findings are “sufficiently authentic that I may trust myself in acting on their implications” (p. 205). It is the degree to which results match the real state of the world (Saldanha & O’Brien, 2014). There are at least three types of threat to validity: internal, external and problems regarding measurement (Frey et al., 1991). Internal threats are posed by the researcher, the participant or the manner in which the research is conducted. External threats are related to ecological validity or replication. In CTIS, the focus is on people (mediators and other participants) and the process, so that both internal and external threats are of crucial importance. For example, the Hawthorne effect (Saldanha & O’Brien, 2014) – also known, with variations, as the Heisenberg effect, observer’s paradox or white coat effect – explains that translators may alter their normal behavior when they are aware that they are being studied.
One of the differences between the laboratory and ethnographic approaches to studying translational cognition is the role of the researcher in the process. In controlled laboratory experiments, the researcher is a bystander and controller of the research who does never get involved in the activities and settings. In ethnographic investigations, however, research methods include participant observation and field interviews that encourage a “high degree of personal involvement from the researchers” (Saldanha & O’Brien, 2014, p. 209). That is, the researcher becomes a part of the object of study. Thus, the ethnographic research into translation processes also entails some questions about the relationship between researchers and participants – for example, what the attitudes are of participants towards the researchers. In their article, Situated Cognition and the Ethnographic Study of Translation Processes: Translation Scholars as Outsiders, Consultants and Passionate Participants, Jelena Milošević and Hanna Risku offer some answers to these questions, based on their ethnographic study in four workplace settings: two freelance translators working together, a translation agency, the technical document department of a technology company and the translation department of a public institution. They used handwritten notes, drawn sketches of the work settings and semi-structured interviews as raw data to carry out a qualitative content analysis of participants’ reactions to the researchers’ request to participate, their perceptions and their expectations of the researchers. Their findings suggest that, while the participants predominantly perceive the researchers as “others”, their specific attitudes towards them differ – for example, regarding them as academic authorities, translation consultants, interested scientists, passionate participants, spies or uninformed learners. Based on their findings, Milošević and Risku suggest that building trust and fostering connections between researchers and participants are crucial in overcoming some of the challenges in the ethnographic studies of translation processes.
The role of the researcher and the artificiality of the setting in think-aloud techniques have been a primary concern for decades now. Ecological validity deals with how to make research reflect real-life situations, at least in such a way that research results can be generalized to such situations. Jääskeläinen (2017) suggests that in any research that is not purely observational, ecological validity is always an issue, and that “thinking aloud compromises ecological validity the most” (p. 218). Veridicality is a criterion often used to refer to the effects of think-aloud techniques – also referred to as concurrent verbal reports or as think-aloud protocols (TAPs, for short). This technique was devised for much simpler tasks and much shorter time spans, so the probability that “processes underlying behavior may be unconscious and thus not accessible for verbal reporting” and the “possibility that verbalizations may not be closely related to the underlying thought processes” (Ericsson & Simon, 1993, p. 109) is in our case close to a certainty.
House (2013) questioned the validity and reliability of verbal reporting and raised questions about their behavioral measurement. She expressed strong doubts about the assumption that persons involved in translating have substantial control over their mental processes and that these mental processes are accessible to them. The root of the problem seems to lie in the somewhat naïve assumption that one’s own stream of thoughts can be accessed and reproduced linearly and “verbatim”. Yet, whatever the mediators describe and explain can be taken as clues to what goes on in their minds and can shed light on their task conception and awareness, which in turn have a clear influence on their behavior. That is why think-aloud techniques are still in use and, especially, why cued retrospective protocols are very popular in multi-method research projects, as a source with which to support researchers’ interpretations of data. Sanjun Sun, Tian Li and Xiaoyan Zhou wrote the article Effects of Thinking Aloud on Cognitive Effort in Translation to respond to objections that thinking aloud may interfere with the translation process (e.g., Toury, 1991) and affect the translation product (Hansen, 2005) – to test to what extent it might slow down translating, as observed by Jakobsen (2003), and what variables may be involved. They studied the effects of thinking aloud on cognitive effort in translation trainees through time on task, duration of the translation phases, cognitive effort of processing ST and TT, and the quality of translation. They contrasted participants translating silently and while thinking aloud. Their findings suggest that thinking aloud has a significant influence on translation duration; that it has various effects on cognitive effort, depending on the ST difficulty and on the different translation stages; and that it has no effect on the quality of translations of difficult texts. Sun, Li and Zhou’s research suggests that the negative effects of thinking aloud on the translation process are still open to discussion, and that diversified effects might be observed when more variables are taken into account.
Retrospection is the mandatory introspective method in interpreting research. Compared with concurrent verbalizations, retrospection is assumed to be less invasive (Buchweitz & Alves, 2006). However, critics have challenged the validity, completeness and veridicality of verbal data gathered through retrospection. One of the factors at stake is the methods to cue participants’ retrieval from memory. In her article, Retrospective Protocols in SI: Testing the Effect of Retrieval Cues, Ewa Gumul reports her findings on the effects of two popular retrieval cueing methods on interpreters’ verbal reporting: source-text transcripts versus target-text recordings. Based on the analysis of the informativeness, accuracy and verbosity of the retrospective reports, Gumul finds no outstanding differences between them. Other variables might need to be taken into account, such as visual or auditory dominance, which is a potential topic for future research.
Reliability is the extent to which research can be replicated, which means that other researchers can generate the same results if they use the same methods to investigate the same questions at a different time (Saldanha & O’Brien, 2014). A method or measurement tool has higher reliability if it offers stable and consistent results in repeated research (Mellinger & Hanson, 2017). Reliability is also linked to reproducibility, the extent to which a certain research project can be checked step by step to determine the quality of its results.
In Methodological Considerations for Survey Research: Validity, Reliability, and Quantitative Analysis, Christopher D. Mellinger and Thomas A. Hanson critically review the data-elicitation tools used in the research literature to find that surveys have so far not played a prominent role in CTIS. They argue that we need to use surveys to gather information about participants’ attitudes, behaviors, perceptions and values. They focus on three crucial issues in survey research for CTIS, namely, validity, reliability and quantitative analysis. As for validity, the article discusses the notions of content, criterion and construct validity. Regarding reliability, Mellinger and Hanson emphasize three potential sources of trouble: online administration, translation of survey responses and cross-cultural difference in data collection. For the quantitative analysis of the survey data, they highlight three common errors – single-item comparison, disbelief in standard parametric analyses and inappropriate choice of statistical method. In addition, Mellinger and Hanson emphasize the importance of building a link between theoretical frameworks and methodological work, a crucial reminder for today's CTIS researcher.
4.3. Novelties in methods
Two trends are emerging in CTIS methodology: the broader use of physiological measures (Shreve & Diamond, 2016) and the consolidation of multimethod strategies (Halverson, 2017). The increasing adoption of physiological measures is consistent with the growing interest in psycho-affective factors such as stress and emotions. These methods can still be seen more often in the research on interpreting (Korpal & Jasielska, 2019), audiovisual translation (Ramos, 2015) and media accessibility. Diamond and Shreve (2010) suggested a wider adoption of neurological and physiological methods to broaden our possibilities, on the grounds that data collection through keylogging and eye-tracking had by then been well established in CTIS. The use of neurological methods is on the rise and physiological measures have expanded to include temperature, heart rate (HR), heart-rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance (SC). We need to develop protocols on the specific application of these tools to achieve a more fruitful application (Shreve & Diamond, 2016). There is, for example, a need to define measurement and analysis parameters, such as HR versus RHV, and to critically assess the merits and limitations of applying these methods in CTIS (e.g., there is some important interpretive distance between measured arousal and inferred emotions). To this end, Ana María Rojo López and Paweł Korpal offer in Through Your Skin to Your Heart and Brain: A Critical Evaluation of Physiological Methods in Cognitive Translation & Interpreting Studies a critical evaluation of three physiological indicators: HR, HRV and skin conductance. These indicators are usually adopted to test the stress and emotions that participants experience, whether they are at a task or as the audience of audiovisual materials. They focus on the nature of these methods, what they measure, how they should be applied, how the analysis should be made and what threats they present to the validity of the research. They also discuss ethical issues – such as the intrusiveness of HRV, respect for personal privacy and the protection of data – and the triangulation of HR/HRV and SC with other measures in the research on emotion processing in translation. This makes their contribution a practical, informative and much-needed hands-on introduction to two of these measures. They suggest that HR and SC are more economical, pain-free and less invasive than other sophisticated measures, such as EEG. Their critical review may be used as a guideline by researchers interested in emotions and will definitely contribute to the more fruitful adoption of physiological methods in CTIS.
In contrast, multi-method strategies, that is, combinations of several (mostly) data-collection methods to elicit different kinds of data, seem to have become the norm (Alves & Hurtado, 2017; Halverson, 2017). Multi-method research is often confused with mixed methods research and triangulation. Mixed-method projects are those that combine quantitative and qualitative data. Since they imply the use of at least two methods, all mixed-method projects are also multi-method, but many multi-method projects cannot be described as mixed methods because they combine either (at least two) quantitative or qualitative methods. Triangulation is the use of two quantitative data-collection methods to collect one and the same kind of data to cancel out error in one or both methods, or to fill potential gaps. For instance, screen recording may be combined with keylogging; backtracking moves that go far from the current insertion point can be better and easier discerned in the screen record than in the log. As another example, pupil dilation or electro-dermal activity may be triangulated to measure cognitive effort. Research projects today are mainly multi-method endeavors that often combine interviews, verbal reports, keylogging, eye-tracking and neurological and physiological measures. Halverson (2017) suggests taking a problem’s demands as the starting point.
With a focus on the methodology to study the effects of time pressure on translation task performance, Yu Weng and Binghan Zheng propose in A Multi-Methodological Approach to Studying Time-Pressure in Written Translation: Manipulation and Measurement a framework for time pressure manipulation and measurement. They review the existing literature on the research of translating under time pressure and find that it is induced by constraining the given timeframe. They present three subjective strategies of manipulating time pressure: giving pre-task time instructions, increasing participants’ intrinsic motivation, and visualizing the elapsing time. As for measurement, they critically discuss Bayer-Hohenwarter’s (2009) approach, which they argue could be refined. They propose a multimethod framework for measuring time pressure, including physiological, psychological and behavioral measures. They offer a detailed introduction to the three types of measurement and a critical discussion on the the strategies to manipulate and the methods to measure time pressure in translation.
The last contribution in the volume focuses on measuring the participants’ working memory (WM), so it might be deemed more classical. WM is closely related to language use, especially in bilingual and multilingual activities, and has been a prominent topic in the research of interpreting and language learning (Schwieter & Ferreira, 2017; Timarová, 2008). Interpreters are assumed to develop specific ways of using WM more efficiently so that they can simultaneously process linguistic input, lexical and semantic access, reformulation and the production of the translation excerpt (Bajo et al., 2001; Ransdell et al., 2006). Jie Li carried out two tests on 33 Chinese translation students with the language pair of English–Chinese to investigate their storage spans, the processing capacity of their verbal WM and their correlations with translation speed and quality. She reports about them in the article The Impact of Verbal Working Memory on Written Translation: Empirical Evidence and an Initial Model. In the first test, E-Prime software was applied to measure the translation students' processing and storage capacities of verbal WM in L1 (Chinese) and L2 (English). In the second test, students’ keystroke data were logged while they were translating and the quality of their translations was evaluated. Her findings suggest that there is a positive correlation between the storage span and the processing capacity of their verbal WM in L1 and L2, but also that language specificity is obvious, with better performance in L1 than in L2. Li also finds that in the direction of L2→L1 translation, the processing capacity of L2 WM has a positive effect on translation speed whereas the L1 processing capacity has no effect on the quality of translation. This is one of the few experimental research projects on the measurement of translators’ WM and its effect on translation performance in terms of speed and quality, and it raises questions about the role of WM in the translation process.
5. Closing remarks
CTIS is growing up, but is not yet coming of age. Since the 1960s, it has experienced ups and downs and is now back at full cruising speed, partly because of the hasty progress being made in high-tech communications and improved research tools. In the midst of this new stage, we should lean back to reflect on some fundamental issues. In spite of all the technological hype, a machine translation is technically not a translation (there is no processing of meaning involved) but a great statistical artifice with which to yield the most likely translation, one that only a knowledgeable human being can sanction as such. This in no way challenges the excellent results of MT systems, especially so-called neural MT systems. We simply suggest that redressing our views on the nature and functions of MT might be beneficial in translator training, translators’ everyday work and in the very development of such systems. Computers were designed to mimic the way researchers in the 1950s thought human minds work. But we know now that minds and brains do not work that way. Neural networks, for instance, only partially mimic one kind of neural network. Their results are spectacular, but they still make basic mistakes because they do not understand, and do not have a singular point of view based on experience and adapted to socially shared views through interaction. It is therefore very likely that MT systems and CAT tools will keep improving – and keep making basic mistakes. We need a deep understanding of the human mind and to redefine human–computer interaction. Post-editing may be more productive as a result, but it is also mentally much more effortful and may require other working schedules and certainly improvements in the systems interfaces. There is plenty of work ahead, since our most basic constructs are often little more than ill-understood metaphors, as in the case of cognitive load.
Digital person-to-person (P2P) communications are here to stay, and they are fostering a growth in the demand that no MT system can meet, and not only because a considerable part of such demand cannot be monetized. P2P communications have made it possible to do without some intermediaries (some online hubs allow project managers to bid directly for jobs, sometimes making even translation companies superfluous). In spite of recurrent fears experienced by translation and interpreting trainees, the job market is also experiencing a relatively steep rise, but it will not be enough either. Online interest groups may boost some professional specializations (e.g., emergency interpreting) and lead to new ones (e.g., translating classical music concert programs), but the demand is far larger than that. Now people may access all kinds of information offered in other languages that they may be interested in but not necessarily so much as to spend their money on it. For instance, beach volleyball, collectibles, old Eastern European cartoons, etc. Hence fansubbing and crowdsourced translations. We are heading towards translation becoming the fifth skill – not as a part of language learning but, rather, as a part of everyday communications. This does not mean that we will all be translators beyond our natural abilities. Quite the contrary, the training of translators, whether at schools or at work, is taking longer and becoming more complex. The times are gone when simply speaking two languages and having a decent cultural stock would get you a job as a translator, and it is precisely IC technologies that underscore the need for specific training to meet market demands. What we mean is that all citizens will have to develop a translation culture, a sort of translation and MT literacy. We spent decades beating about the bush on clients’ education, only to find ourselves now facing the formidable challenge of educating everyone about how to deal with translators and translations, how to determine their quality, how to use MT systems on their own and cope with uneven results. And the how is the natural realm of CTIS.
We are also going to find more and more hybrid communication systems combining features of oral, written and signed languages with other codes. Now that we are also overcoming the divide between linguistics and psychology, we need to face the fact that the palette of multilectal mediated communication tasks is full of hybrids and that the dichotomy of pure oral and pure written mediation is becoming a mirage. Our digital tools of the trade, those that pump up our productivity, ensure consistency and take care of the boring, repetitive bits of texts, also demand more cognitive effort, so there is a certain trade-off that we should be exploring. Remote interpreting makes it possible to provide overdue social and community services, but we know very little about the cognitive specifics of using these systems and the consequences it may have on the quality of communication and the outcomes of important communicative events. CTIS has grown used to comparing translation trainees, untrained bilinguals and professionals; we studied people working on different kinds of text or facing speakers at different rates of delivery. This is fine and we should continue to do so, only with clearer theories supported by more rigorous research efforts, the two thread lines woven in this issue.
However, in the dawn of this multimodal era we also need to study and contrast both related and unrelated multilectal mediation tasks to discern the cognitive processes involved in improving or achieving communication and focus on their roles, their interaction, their entrenchment, rather than on purported memory, control, and bilingual advantages that apparently separate translators and interpreters from ordinary mortals but which do not really explain much. We also need to keep but go way beyond mean performance measures, because they will always conceal or miss important information. Translational cognition can be ascertained only in the situated behavioral dynamics of human beings interacting with their environments while engaged in multilectal mediated communication events. We need to study what happens in longer texts, focus on time-to-event data, and do so at different timescales, including those where quantification is not only impractical, but also uninteresting. Intra-subject curves on response times, fixation durations, typos, decalage and information searches may shed light on cognitive processes because today’s measurements cannot reduce much of interpersonal variation. We need more longitudinal studies, today unfairly relegated to oblivion due to pressure on the pace of researchers’ career advancement. We need more naturalistic research, preferably combined with studies under experimental conditions, but we mainly need to bring the world into the lab, and basic testing to the web, to build random samples whose numbers we can only dream of today.
This is what we think we should be reflecting on while we read the excellent and varied contributions to this issue of Linguistica Antverpiensia, New Series: Themes in Translation Studies that we have had the honor to co-edit. One of the nicest things about working in CTIS is the constant feeling that everything remains to be done and that the best is yet to come.
This work was partially supported by National Social Science Foundation of China (grant number 17BYY048).
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Xiao, K., & Halverson, S. L. (Eds.). (In press). Developments in Cognitive Translation and Interpreting Studies [Special issue]. Cognitive Linguistic Studies, 8(2).
[1] The editors of these special issues are (1) Muñoz; (2) Ehrensberger-Dow, Englund Dimitrova, & Hubscher-Davidson; (3) Alves, Hurtado, & Lacruz; (4) Giozza, Jääskeläinen, Mellinger, & Rodríguez-Inés; (5) Ehrensberger-Dow, & Englund Dimitrova; (6) Whyatt; (7) Risku, Rogl, & Milošević; (8) Klimant, Tieber, & Risku; (9) García, & Giozza; (10) Muñoz, & Xiao; (11) Xiao, & Halverson.
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In Search of Lost Plots: On Viktor Shklovsky
By Jonathan Foltz
“The claim to imperishability has become obsolete.”
– Theodor Adorno, Aesthetic Theory
“It was evening when I started writing this.”
– Viktor Shklovsky, Bowstring
In the realm of ideas, time moves abruptly and (as they are fond of saying in political thrillers) with extreme prejudice. Literary styles lose their potency. Entire schools of thought are routinely surmounted, discredited, or discarded. From time to time, a book manages to outlive its author, but always with adjustments. The words remain, but the pages grow encrusted with history. It becomes difficult to read them — not because the light is dim, but because the world they illuminate has become remote, apocryphal.
Sometimes it happens that an author can live long enough to see this fate befall his own work, and to bear witness to that special form of powerlessness which authorship eventually invites. Viktor Shklovsky’s Bowstring: On the Dissimilarity of the Similar and Energy of Delusion — two works of literary theory recently translated and published for the first time in English by the Dalkey Archive Press — are remarkable demonstrations of this kind of melancholy self-awareness. Written in Shklovsky’s old age, they sketch a theory of literary history at a time when his ideas had grown unfashionable. Thrown into the light of the present, these books are more than mere artifacts of time: they are also self-conscious reflections on literature’s relation to its past, and on the way literary forms (genres, plots, tropes) become, as Shklovsky puts it, the “self-abnegating” vessels of their own untimeliness.
The publication of these volumes also gives readers a chance to reevaluate the legacy of Shklovsky’s singular criticism, which has grown dusty with disuse. Shklovsky — a writer who is most famous for his concept of “defamiliarization,” and is typically regarded as the father of Russian formalism — is compulsively footnoted and frequently anthologized. Nevertheless, his work has always had a tenuous stature within the locker room of literary theory. Formalism, it is said between towel-snappings, denies the historical and political character of art; it believes naively that literature is separate from life, that literary language has its own “inner laws,” and that the content of stories doesn’t matter. Art is not about human communication or emotional experiences or ethical awareness. In place of these humanist pieties, it is alleged, formalists like Shklovsky find only the structural dance of literary devices, as arbitrary and impersonal as the moves of chess pieces.
Shklovsky himself never ducked from these polemics. “In art,” he wrote in his landmark Theory of Prose, “blood is not bloody. No, it just rhymes with ‘flood.’” Let the extremity — and the insight — of that statement sink in and you will see how the stridency of Shklovsky’s thinking might sometimes cause people embarrassment. You may also understand why, in the agitprop-prone culture of post-revolutionary Soviet Russia, reprisals were inevitable. For his opposition to the Bolshevik party, Shklovsky was forced into hiding, then into exile. He wrote about these experiences in his extraordinarily bleak, hallucinatory war memoir, which he called (after Laurence Sterne) A Sentimental Journey. The masses, he wrote in that volume, “escaped into Bolshevism the way a man hides from life in a psychosis.” This observation did not make him any new friends. In 1923, Leon Trotsky rejected the “formal method,” branding Shklovsky a “learned monk” and “frank passéist” whose ideas constitute an “unmistakable symptom of intellectual decline.” “[H]ere we no longer have a glove of history turned inside out,” Trotsky’s withering critique continues, “but the skin torn from the separate fingers, dried out to a degree of complete abstraction…”
Of course, intellectual controversy is often a sign of conceptual good health. Shklovsky’s friend and colleague, Boris Eichenbaum, once wrote that “few undertake to praise Shklovsky in print, because all who write … must first emancipate themselves from him. They rail against him as against the injustice of fate.” No one is likely to say such things anymore. Today, Shklovsky’s texts remain just as challenging and imposing, but, whatever else they are, they are no longer unavoidable.
The waning of Shklovsky’s reputation is lamentable, but it has also bequeathed to his writings a rekindled interest and intelligibility. Reading Shklovsky today, we no longer need to be preoccupied with the aim of his arguments, which have been discredited long ago anyway. What remains is the bewildering dexterity of his thought, so heedless of historical period or nationality, a tidal movement of comparison that pushes us onto startling pockets of insight. “[One] should have expected the history of ‘imagistic art,’” Shklovsky writes in a famous essay from his 1925 collection Theory of Prose,
to consist of a history of changes in imagery. But we find that images change very little; from century to century, from nation to nation, from poet to poet, they flow on without changing. Images belong to no one: they are “the Lord’s.” […] Images are given to poets: the ability to remember them is more important than the ability to create them.
Statements like this are the hallmark of a thinker working so far beyond the advisable confines of the knowable that it seems petty to quibble with his reasoning. We are no longer caught up with the originality of one poet over another, with movements or schools, or the calculus of innovation that separates good poetry from bad. Literature, instead, offers a compressed record of our exposure to an inherited world and a sedimentary history of our powerlessness to choose it. Shakespeare’s rose is not the same as Stein’s, but they are both rearrangements of the inescapably commonplace, inadvertent artifacts of an embarrassment at the condition of being earthbound.
Shklovsky is a master of this kind of insightful but moony speculation, which begins life as taxonomy but finishes as myth. It is a skill that is conspicuously on display in both Bowstring and Energy of Delusion. Originally published in 1970 and 1981 respectively, these books were written at a time when the tenets of Russian formalism were just being superseded by the advent of new theoretical approaches like structuralism and post-structuralism. But these books are not the theoretical retrenchments one might expect; they are each surprisingly personal and experimental in form, works of uncommon density and craft that revel in the calculated pleasures of irony and delay, repetition and allegory. Both texts, but especially Bowstring, are just as much exercises in storytelling as they are clinical examinations of its laws.
Narrative, for Shklovsky, is not a way to communicate ideas, but a way to expose ideas to the contradictions that work on them from all sides, to “renew thought and disrupt the sclerosis of concepts,” as he puts it. Perhaps this is why Shklovsky spends so much time summarizing the stories of others. Hence, in Energy of Delusion, Chekhov’s aesthetics can be glossed simply by retelling the plot of his story, “An Avenger,” in a skeletal form. Chekhov’s reasoning, Shklovsky writes, is “the reasoning of a person whose wife has been unfaithful”:
He wants to kill his wife.
H goes to buy a pistol.
They offer him a variety of pistols.
But then he begins to think.
Kill her?
Or maybe it’s better to kill himself?
Or maybe kill both of them?
But he starts talking to the seller.
Then he doesn’t know how to leave the store.
As a result he ends up buying a net for catching birds that he doesn’t need.
The story, thus reduced to ten thin sentences, shows how Chekhov construes tragedy as the reluctant acceptance of a timid and unlivable indignity. Shklovsky doesn’t so much analyze the story — he doesn’t, for instance, employ what we would call “close reading” — as his bare description of the plot anatomizes it, denuding Chekhov’s tale of its realist aura in order to expose the story’s dorsal structure: “the negation of the ordinary through the ordinary.”
This is a violent, inventive way of reading that routinely funnels the action of whole novels into a few jagged sentences, as if it were Shklovsky’s goal to translate the problems of modern literature into the clipped, allegorical idiom of Gilgamesh. The result is a caustic minimalism that can often make his ruminations on the mutation of literary forms across time sound like an unlikely bedtime story. Tolstoy’s favorite fairy tale, Shklovsky tells us, is about someone’s attempt to describe light to the blind.
They are told that light is like milk. They respond: does it mean that it flows like milk? They are told that light is like snow. They respond: does that mean it is cold like snow? They are told that light is like paper. They respond: does that mean that it rustles like paper?
Shklovsky’s lesson here is that there is a basic roughness at the heart of narrative. The simplest experience is inexplicable and takes on strange proportions when you try to communicate it to someone who doesn’t have it already in mind, drawing around it a cloud of adjacent fantasies. Details in literature are “detonators” of the habitual. This is because, as Shklovsky observes, “comparison draws the world closer and the world as a whole becomes unrecognizable. […] dissimilarity pushes, as it were, the comparable objects apart.” Literature is full of light that “rustles like paper,” experience that has been hardened and disordered — Shklovsky would have said “defamiliarized” — by an incantatory strangeness of expression.
It is no accident that Shklovsky’s writing often resembles a mix of literary theory and fairy-tale. The Marxist critic Fredric Jameson, in The Prison-House of Language, suggests that the folkloric tendencies of Russian formalism was born of the need to establish universal, timeless laws for literary activity. Folk-tales are easy targets for this kind of analysis, he writes, because they “have a kind of atemporal and object-like unity,” unlike novels, which are born of the messiness of history. This is a sensible criticism, but it does not quite explain the function of folkloric language in Shklovsky’s writing, which despite its ring of archaism has more to do with his ties to Constructivism and the Russian avant-garde. This is what Shklovsky meant in The Third Factory (1926) when he espoused the advent of a literature without plot: “It goes without saying that plot oriented prose still exists and will continue to exist,” he wrote in a moment of unjustified optimism, “but it has been consigned to the attic.” What he believed might replace plot is a modern reinvention of the anecdote, “a story consisting of separate facts tenuously connected. […] [In the anecdote,] the conflict — or, rather, alternation — of perception from one aspect of a work to another — can be traced easily.” Anecdotal thinking, because it is partial and discontinuous, allows events and ideas to bristle against each other, to revise and contest one another through collision.
It is in this formal investment in the anecdote that Shklovsky is perhaps closest to his approximate contemporary Walter Benjamin, whose gnomic mix of fable and philosophy has long enchanted readers. Shklovsky’s prose, though, is emptied of the mysticism that makes Benjamin’s writing rich with the impenetrable. The proper response to Shklovsky’s fragments is not exegesis, but compilation and synthesis — one ought to gather them, the way private investigators gather clippings from different newspapers. Shklovsky’s texts are scattered and disjunctive, marked on every page by the “intransigence, difficulty, and unresolved contradiction” that Edward Said (and Adorno before him) identified as the hallmark of “late style.” The “caesuras, the sudden discontinuities” of thought which Adorno identified in Beethoven’s late work were for Shklovsky a lifelong compositional strategy, a way to dramatize the conflictual relationships of literary history through juxtaposition; but they are also an expression of time’s delirium. “Youth boldly projects its piers far into the future,” Shklovsky writes in the preface to Bowstring, “then finds them, not in the same place […] I reflect, write, piece things together, then keep rearranging them; I do only what I can do. These are old pathways. I hope to intersect them.”
Allow me to make a blunt observation: most literary criticism is explanatory in nature; great care is taken to show how nuanced conclusions may be drawn from the meticulous scrutiny of evidence. Neither Bowstring nor Energy of Delusion work this way. Shklovsky interrupts himself continually; he compiles evidence obsessively but refrains from analyzing it; his conclusions are dropped throughout the text like stray coins which one is lucky enough to happen upon by accident. In one instance, he seeks to clarify a point about Tolstoy by retelling a scene from Chaplin’s The Gold Rush, but stops before fully describing the scene (in which Chaplin invites a woman to dine with him and she doesn’t appear). A hundred pages later, he picks up where he left off as if no time had passed. It is as though Shklovsky is just as interested in breaking up his thoughts as in substantiating them. He cuts his discussions into fragments and threads them through the book, so that, as we read, we come upon many unexpected intersections. This approach imbues literary theory with the digressive thickness of literature itself, though occasionally the ordering principle borders on the arbitrary. Sometimes Shklovsky seems to be taunting the reader: “I can put this sentence anywhere I like in my book,” he writes at one point, “in fact, I’ll put it right here or anywhere — it’s like when a person is headed somewhere without having an address.”
The most available model for this kind of assemblage is, of course, cinematic montage, and the reader will not be surprised to learn that Shklovsky’s background in cinema is extensive. The author of many theoretical articles on film, along with one monograph, Literature and Cinematography (also published in English by Dalkey), Shklovsky also worked for years as a screenwriter for directors like Lev Kuleshov and Abram Room. Ironically, Shklovsky was initially skeptical of montage; in Literature and Cinematography he tried to argue that the discontinuous nature of cinematic motion disqualified it as art. Fifty years later, in Bowstring, he defines art solely through the rubric of discontinuity. The film theory he draws from is not his own, but that of the great director Sergei Eisenstein, who wrote that film montage is a “formation, born from the collision of contradictions, the capturing force of which grows in its intensiveness through newer and newer spheres of affective reactions of the perceiver.” In Bowstring, Shklovsky turns Eisenstein’s comments on cinematic juxtaposition into a guiding aesthetic axiom: “The basis of every art form is always conflict,” he writes in one passage. In another: “Myths do not flow through the pipes of history; they change and splinter, they contrast and refute one another. The similar turns out to be the dissimilar.“
This is not as convoluted an idea as it may sound: in essence, Shklovsky is simply saying that cultures and values change, and soon the literature of the past can grow to be illegible. But the forms of the past persist even when they have grown obsolete. “Old literature inhabits new literature as if without permission,” he writes in Energy of Delusion. “It exists like a magnetic field that has undergone changes after a catastrophe above ground.” Whenever writers misread their predecessors, when they revive an old genre, or find contradictions in previously established plots, Shklovsky suggests, they stumble onto the historical character of form. Tolstoy dreamt of retelling the biblical story of Joseph. Thomas Mann actually did this, in Joseph and his Brothers, but misinterpreted its meaning (“Occasionally it is hard to turn the pages,” Shklovsky laments) because he forgot to create anything new or antithetical. A more dynamic adaptation of the past, like the “mythic method” of Joyce’s Ulysses, would not be afraid to disturb the sanctity of tradition with the profanity of contemporary life. Every thorough reconfiguration of literary form is also a rearrangement of “the possibilities of proposed human relations”:
Humanity moves in contradictions, in its ascent, through the palpability of change, the change of systems, the change of functions in old rituals and social constructs. Humanity moves and consciousness changes. The history of literature is a record of the change of consciousness.
It would be difficult to argue with this last statement. Indeed, the single-mindedness and the simplicity of Shklovsky’s thesis is astounding; rarely does anyone linger at such length on the consequences of literature’s trans-historical, trans-cultural movement.
Comparable, perhaps, only to the scope of Erich Auerbach’s magisterial Mimesis, Bowstring pursues its focus through a bewildering array of examples, touching on everything from Homer and Tolstoy, Pushkin and Plato, Dante and the Russian Futurists, to the fairy tale, the films of Antonioni, the “semantic hierarchy” of children’s drawings, and the formal structure of jokes at which one only laughs “as though out of duty.” Yet it is also a kind of memoir. (A more conventional memoir, Mayakovsky and His Circle, was written in 1941 and published in English in 1972.) Steeped in the poetry of the arcane as well as the poetry of the commonplace, Shklovsky’s Bowstring is an examination of the life and death of literary forms that is also a reflection on his own advancing age: literary history in its most deciduous sense. “Youth and friends are gone,” he writes in the preface, “there is almost no one I can write letters or show manuscripts to. The leaves have been falling, and not just this past autumn. Leaves fall surreptitiously here, almost unnoticed, like words change in a language.”
Shklovsky’s personal recollections, pitched somewhere between biography, autobiography and literary criticism, suggest that reading and friendship are related tasks that become difficult in the drift of history. “There are names of people in my old phone book that I can’t call anymore. But names don’t get erased.” In his accounts of departed friends, memory mixes unlikely experiences with an indiscriminate hand, creating strange points of contact between the literary life and the shopping list. “We had very little food,” we read in the section on his collaborations with Eichenbaum, “the bread was variegated, kind of tousled, mixed with straw. You could only eat it if you were distracted by something else.” Of his youth with Tynjanov, he remembers that Yuri’s apartment was “spacious, empty, and full of light. He didn’t have any books yet […] and when I came to visit my friend, I would hang my coat on the light switch—there were no hangers.” Other memories intrude, but they are broken up and scattered in clipped sentences, creating moments of unsentimental confession. “I enrolled as a volunteer [as an army instructor] out of confusion,” he writes at one point, “I used leave passes to sleep at home.”
The self-referential aspect of Shklovsky’s writing gives his theory of literary time added sting because he understands that it is impossible to stand apart from history. This resigned awareness also means that he is not ashamed if some of his opinions sound unfashionable. Bowstring ends with an unexpected critique of the modern “antinovel,” a category in which Shklovsky includes Kafka’s novels as well as the films of Antonioni and Fellini. Like the ending of L’Eclisse (in which “the world of material things has devoured the living beings”) or of Blow-Up (with its mimed tennis match, an impotent “game without a ball”), Shklovsky fears that modern narrative has relinquished the common heritage of “heroic action.” “Irony doesn’t help anymore,” he writes. “The hero […] has been cut off from the world. He has been sealed in a barrel, like Prince Gvidon, and cast into the sea. He feels the cadence of the waves but he can’t see anything.” We do not need to accept this anxiety; Shklovsky himself feels how ridiculous it is for him to express an opinion about such things. “There comes a time in every man’s life when he renounces whatever is fashionable, considering it a mistake, and stays in his old, narrow pants and old-fashioned hat […] The new skirts are too short for me.” In other words, by acknowledging the contentlessness of his critique of the present, Shklovsky aims to give added support to his theory of history.
Perhaps he is correct to relinquish the premise of timely critique. We are now far enough removed from the debates which Shklovsky entered that his polemics would require footnotes to be understood. Because of this distance, the rightness or wrongness of his opinions matters less. We have an opportunity, thanks in part to the tireless efforts of the Dalkey Archive, to grant Viktor Shklovsky a reprieve from the locked rooms of Russian Formalism to which he is habitually consigned. The appearance of these two books, unique in the enormity of their ambitions and the intellectual restlessness of their prose, is a good omen that the final word on the longevity of Shklovsky’s thought has yet to be written. The works of the past, as he continually claimed, only grow old if they cease to be used.
Recommended Reads:
Lisa Levy on As Consciousness Is Harnessed to Flesh by Susan Sontag: “Cogito Ergo Boom”
“The Sideways Gaze: Roland Barthes’s Travels in China“ by Dora Zhang
The Literary Criticism Page
The Zany, the Cute, and the Interesting: On Ngai’s “Our Aesthetic Categories”
By Rebecca Ariel Porte
For Future Friends of Walter Benjamin
By Brían Hanrahan
The Sideways Gaze: Roland Barthes’s Travels in China
By Dora Zhang
Cogito Ergo Boom: Susan Sontag’s Journals
By Lisa Levy
Decay is the Way Dead Things Live
By Jacob Mikanowski
Even as Everything Melts: Malcolm Turvey’s “The Filming of Modern Life”
Voiceless in Vienna
By Tom Conaghan
High Fantasy with Tear Gas and Riot Gear
By Matthew Iung
Holding the Darkness in Place
By Rachel Walker
Beyond Bias: The Case for an Abolitionist Psychology
By Lee Jasperse, Benjamin Stillerman
“MLK/FBI” and “Her Socialist Smile” Desanitize Two Radical Icons
By Eileen G’Sell
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