Why Education Is the Most Powerful Tool We Have

In Liberia, child victims of war aged 10–18 undergo counselling and learn useful skills (Photograph: ICRC, VII, Christopher Morris)

Michael Alberg-Seberich and Felicitas Von Peter are managing partners and founders of Active Philanthropy, a Berlin-based philanthropy platform. Here they discuss why education provides the greatest charitable return on investment.

Why do 59 million children worldwide (equivalent to nearly the population of France) lack access to primary education? Why are children from the wealthiest 20 percent of the population still four times more likely to be in school than the poorest 20 percent? And why does the social background of parents still determine a child’s educational success? It comes as no surprise that education is one of the most important targets of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. It is also, after religion, in many countries, the number-one cause people donate money to.

And often with amazing impact: Bridge International Academies shows how private schools in Kenya can provide high-class, affordable education for all. The colourful premises of Sport dans la Ville in Paris illustrate how sport ignites successful education for disadvantaged youth. And school for unaccompanied minor refugees in Munich helps a shepherd from Ethiopia who cannot read or write obtain his exams (in German!) within two years — and continue his education in an apprenticeship with a local craftsman.

These learning innovations would not exist without the support of private, philanthropic investors. Even though education is a public good, philanthropy is an important enabler in this field. The fact that this is often done in collaboration with the state is an expression of a growing culture of collaboration in philanthropy.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” Nelson Mandela wrote. Supporting education — especially for children in need — is one of the most challenging, but gratifying, causes. No matter how much is currently being spent on education, it will always need more committed and dedicated philanthropists: those who are willing to fight for the future of children in need, whether in Paris, Munich, Kenya or elsewhere in the world.

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Red Dragon Rising

Washington cocktail-party conversations about China typically go something like this: A person from the China-as-a-peer-competitor school of thought says, "I think China, with its growing economy, growing military and young, nationalistic population, will only naturally lock horns with the U.S. in future decades."

An advocate of the enmity-is-a-self-fulfilling-prophecy school responds, "Maybe, but casting the Chinese in an adversarial role now will serve to drive them away from the U.S. and from a friendship that I think they're open to."

As the impasse is marked with polite sipping of the Cabernet Sauvignon, each guest searches for rescue by a more like-minded conversationalist.

Turning the tables on such an exchange is the new report of Congress' U.S.-China Security Review Commission. Never mind what you chatterers think, the bipartisan report seems to interject, because the die is cast: "China's leaders consistently characterize the United States as a 'hegemon,' connoting a powerful protagonist and overbearing bully that is China's major competitor, but they also believe that the United States is a declining power with important military vulnerabilities that can be exploited. China views itself as an emerging power."

Specifically, China's military leaders are focusing on several investments and advances that cannot be mistaken for anything but preparations for conflict against the U.S.

This focus is far from meaning that conflict is inevitable. It doesn't even rule out cooperation and close U.S.-China ties in a variety of areas. But it should stop in its tracks any wishful thinking that China doesn't already see the U.S. as a potential military adversary. It should also make apparent that China's leaders, for their part, aren't worried that their planning will alienate the United States.

Among China's U.S.-oriented military ambitions, it seeks to advance its:

Ability to sink a U.S. carrier: China has publicly stated that it intends to be able to sink an American aircraft carrier. Among the technologies that could allow China to do this are anti-ship cruise missiles, which China could fire from land across long distances, and which it is now developing. China is also developing an over-the-horizon radar network with which to track surface ships.

China has reportedly bought from Russia eight new Kilo-class diesel subs. China, which already has four of the subs, is to take delivery of the eight beginning in 2007. China's growing fleet of diesel subs is supplemented by a program to develop nuclear subs, the congressional report says. The nuclear sub development, called "Project 093," is to begin between 2003-05 and already has Russian cooperation. Whether this program will be successful is far from clear, however. In addition, China is acquiring the high-speed Russian anti-ship SS-22 Sunburn missile, and advanced wake-homing torpedoes. Some of these advances could be used in anti-submarine warfare against the U.S.

Focus on asymmetrical warfare: China's President Jiang Zemin in 1999 called for the People's Liberation Army to develop weapons with which a technologically inferior Chinese military might defeat a technologically superior U.S. one. More specifically, China seeks to develop "assassin's mace" weapons -- what Americans might call a "magic bullet" -- with which to attack U.S. vulnerabilities. This focus on "asymmetrical warfare" draws on two millennia of Chinese strategic tradition. The congressional report says China focuses on such weaknesses as U.S. reliance on computer networks and dependency on satellites for military reconnaissance, navigation and communications. The Chinese also plan to target business communications, and specific systems such as the New York Stock Exchange computers or the communications and computers of airbases and carriers.

Another example of an asymmetrical capability, though not one discussed in the report, is China's existing ability to launch a massive missile barrage against Taiwan or a traditional U.S. basing site such as Okinawa, Japan. The threat of such a barrage could pressure Japan to deny the U.S. access to Okinawa, thereby exploiting U.S. over-dependency on foreign bases in the event of a Taiwan conflict.

Focus on space: China has seven military satellites and is building more. It has a modest, two-satellite version of the U.S. Global Positioning System of satellites, and has plans to expand it. Other research on China published by the Pentagon has pointed out that the PLA is developing ground-based anti-satellite technology.

While these advances don't spell out a future in which China will be a U.S. "peer," China is definitely a "competitor."

It would be convenient and reassuring to dismiss China's military advances and the recently announced expansion of its military spending by 17.6 percent as measures directed at the perennial tensions with Taiwan. But the advances outlined here are focused on countering U.S. capabilities, not Taiwanese ones. To be sure, Chinese military planners may be calculating that the U.S. would get involved in a cross-strait military conflict. But there's more to China's range of investments than planning for a brush with the U.S. in the Taiwan Strait.

Rather, China's military planners seem to think the possibility of a large-scale, future military conflict between them and the dominant Pacific power is real, and should be prepared for. That's not necessarily a bellicose conclusion, it's just realistic. And since it's Beijing's conclusion, there's no reason Washington should draw a different one.


Lesson 10: Spreads Part I

tarot spread

Now that you've studied the whole deck of 78 cards and practised with the basic 3 card spread, we'll move on to a couple of other spreads for you to work with.

You may have found that some cards have stuck in your mind and have a special significance for you, others may still be hard to remember, so if you still need to use your Tarot books and your notes that's fine.

So take out your deck and let's begin. You'll soon be having fun reading more detailed spreads for yourself and others.

It isn't always necessary to use all 78 cards when you do a Tarot reading. There are many ways to use the cards.

for example you could use ...

- the Major Arcana
- the Minor Arcana
- Aces and Major Arcana
- Aces and Minor Arcana
- Court cards and Minor Arcana
- Court cards and Major Arcana

If you do a little research by studying different Tarot books and other web sites, you'll discover hundreds, if not thousands of different spreads and card combinations - you can even create your own mix of cards and your own spreads!

In lesson 12, I'll be covering guidelines for reading the Tarot in a little more detail, but for now I'll simply outline a couple of basic pointers to help you get started.

Card Positions and Orientation:

Some people read the cards differently, depending on whether they are reversed (upside down) or upright. This is a personal preference and one you need to decide for yourself. Personally, I choose to get a feel from the spread as a whole, to guide me as to whether a card is indicating its negative or positive interpretation, and I ignore whether a card is reversed or not.

You can do the same, but if you find that difficult, you can read upright cards as positive in meaning and upside down (reversed) cards, as negative in meaning.

Intepreting the relationship between cards in their various positions is a little more difficult. Many books do give some guidance on this, and I recommend Jonathan Dee's excellent 'Tarot an illustrated guide' for this reason.

For now, simply understanding what each card indicates in a particular position in a spread will enable you to give a reasonable reading

The Client:

When you read for someone, this person can be referred to as 'The Querant' or 'The Enquirer' and they should shuffle the cards.

When they have finished shuffling you can spread the whole deck and ask them to pick the appropriate number of cards, or you could split the deck into 3 smaller packs and get them to pick a pack they are most drawn to. I choose to do the latter, but you can feel free to find your own way for the querant to pick their cards.

Many people feel quite nervous when they come for a reading, especially for the first time, or if they are feepng distressed about something. Find your own way to make them feel at ease.

I do this by explaining the process and what I believe the tarot is all about. I explain each of the spreads I use and often explain the meanings of the cards. However, many Tarot readers feel it is better not to do this, and only convey the message they see in the cards. It's up to you to find your own way of working with the tarot and with the people you read for.


Happiness and Stress, it’s all in your head.

I’ve been blown away in the past couple of weeks – with some mind bending ah-ha moments about our role in our own happiness and our own ‘stressors’.

There are plenty of keys to optimal human health that are kept right there in your head. How you think, how you tend to interact psychologically with others, and how you perceive life experiences are integral to the health of your body and your happiness.

This makes the ‘eat less and more more’ message that we receive seem pretty shallow.

First of all, I’ve learned that I’m a questioner (OK, I knew that already – but hear me out). According to Gretchen Rubin, if we characterize our approach to life into one-ish of her four tendencies, we can better understand how we operate, and we can set ourselves up for some successful habit making.

Her four tendencies are:

  1. Upholder: someone who readily meets inner and outer expectations, someone who will do what others ask, and have a pretty easy time doing what they’ve decided they are going to do.
  2. Questioner: someone who will question everyone, and will only do something if it makes sense to them.
  3. Obliger: someone who will do what others suggest, but have trouble meeting their own inner expectations.
  4. Rebel: someone who resists all expectations.

This insight into how you work can help you figure out the best way to gain health. AND if you share it with others, they will better understand how to support you (says the health coach).

This is like Myers Briggs meets Human Health. ENTJ right here.

For example, a rebel operates with a pleasure principal of sorts. They do what they want to do, and if someone tells them to do something, they might just do the opposite. A rebel has to approach creating new habits as something exciting or pleasing to them. And if you coach a rebel by telling them what to do, those words will fall on deaf ears.

On the other hand, you can convince a questioner to create a habit if you illuminate the reasons why they should do that, and keep reminding them… over and over again. Because <raises hand> questioners will even question themselves. Why am I doing this again?

Holy crap can we get paralyzed by information.

An obliger is very likely to need a good amount of accountability to get a habit in motion. Because they are unlikely to let someone else down. I have some of this tendency in there… I enjoy accountability – which is frankly why I like to post my breakfast photos on Facebook.

And the upholders out there probably can’t figure out why this is so hard for everyone else, because they’ll more easily start and keep good habits.

AND THEN, I heard this podcast – wherein I learned that there are no stressors in life. WHAT?!?!

Yes, this spoke to me in big ways… let me explain.

The stress of a job, of a relationship, of finances… it’s all in our heads. OK, when I say it that way it doesn’t sound so crazy. But here’s my ah-ha moment. We create our own stress when our experience in life doesn’t match the experience that we think we should have. We imagine up some fantasy ideal and our real life experience isn’t measuring up to our ideal so we can bogged down in that alternate reality – and begin to spin our wheels.

The key to finding clarity and taking action to actually lessen our perceived stress is to gain insight into our own experience. Or, to step back into reality. That’s not always easy to do of course, but once you can admit to yourself that your relationship is crappy because you haven’t spent time listening, or that your work environment is tenuous because you haven’t shared your expectations with your co-workers… then you’ve got some clear action items to pursue to shift you away from the funk.

And this clarity will reap physical health benefits.

This insight into your brain is you taking personal responsibility for how you feel about your own experiences.

Internal locus of control is what I called this when I was in geoscience recruiting. We were coached to hire people who took responsibility for their own success and didn’t blame others for their failures.

I plan to pick up The Myth of Stress by Andrew Bernstein. He says that the opposite of stress isn’t relaxation, it’s insight. He makes a strong case I think.

SO, what will you do with this information? You could take the steps to better understand that brain of yours and leverage it for the purposes of being happier. Check out these resources and let me know what you think.

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Louis Dorfman

Those that have an interest in this book can either purchase it in hardback, paperback or electronic form or learn more about it at the following link: DAKAR, A WOLF'S ADVENTURE

Here is a brief synopsis of the book:

This novel is the story of a wolf named Dakar, written from the animals' point of view. The novel chronicles Dakar's odyssey across British Columbia, Canada, and into Montana. Dakar is the young son of the wolf pack leader, Torga, and the alpha female of the pack, Tonya. While resting after feeding, the pack becomes the target of illegal poachers looking for a trophy. Dakar saves his mother and siblings and leads the hunters away from the pack while the pack flees to safety.

Dakar is wounded during the encounter. Despite injury, Dakar keeps leading the hunters further from the wolf pack and away from his home and family. Soon thereafter he meets a mystical raven named Rahwa. This raven leads Dakar on a journey filled with adventure and surprises to get medical assistance from a strange and unexpected source.

Dakar makes unusual and delightful friends along the way and finds that he's able to trust and relate to other animals, as well as other species, besides his wolf pack. Dakar also learns many skills that will serve him well throughout his life. It becomes ever more clear that Rahwa, the raven, is something more than he appears to be.

The journey has a very surprising and unexpected ending during which Dakar receives help from unexpected sources, overcomes obstacles he never would have believed he could conquer, and learns a great deal more than he believed he ever would about life and relationships.

My animal-related novel, THE FAIRIES' QUEST, is currently available.

Here is a brief synopsis of the book:

This novel is about two fairies, Penelope and Bucky, who were animals during their life on Earth. They lived in the fairy domain, where all fairies take on human form.

In order for a fairy to become an angel, he or she must successfully complete an authorized quest on Earth within 100 years of his or her arrival in the domain.

Penelope, who had been a raccoon on Earth, and her best friend, Bucky, who had been a black stallion on Earth, received permission from the fairies' council to begin a quest on Earth. The purpose of the quest was to convince a family of enthusiastic hunters that it was both wrong to kill animals for pleasure, and it was wrong to teach their children that any killing for pleasure was acceptable. The council picked the family, the Winstons.

Cassandra, a member of the fairies' council, and a believer that moral values on Earth should not be changed, opposed Penelope and Bucky. She was determined to see that the quest failed, and she got herself appointed as supervisor of the quest.

Cassandra, without the knowledge of Penelope or Bucky, caused a number of obstacles to hinder the quest. Some of those obstacles had unforeseen consequences.

Penelope and Bucky became enmeshed in a moral dilemma between their desire to complete their quest and their desire to do what they knew to be right.

How they resolve these problems and the consequences thereof make for an interesting and unexpected climax to the quest and the adventure.

Louis Dorfman

Meet and travel with Petey and Penny, two delightful river otters, as they escape from the home which they share with their friend, Eric Hodges, in order to be free and experience what life is like in the world outside their sheltered environment. You will journey with them as they have adventure after adventure while learning what it means to be an animal on the loose in a human's world. You will share the experiences they have and learn what they discover about the importance of family and friendship.

Other Recommended Books and Authors in the Animal Related Fields

The Case For Animal Rights

When Elephants Weep

Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, former Sanskrit scholar and projects director of the Sigmund Freud Archives, has written more than a dozen books, including the New York Times bestsellers Dogs Never Lie About Love and When Elephants Weep. A longtime resident of Berkley, California, he now lives in New Zealand with his wife, two sons and five cats.

The Parrot's Lament

Eugene Linden looks at what animals reveal about their intelligence and emotions through their natural reactions to the people and beings around them. He has talked to zookeepers, researchers, therapists, and trainers to unearth amazing and heartwarming stories, anecdotes of animal humor, game playing, deception, scheming, and subterfuge as well as tales of compassion, heroism, and love.

The Company of Wolves

Peter Seinhart has set himself the task of rounding up and offering commentary on all the new wolf research to improve our understanding of this fascinating and totally misunderstood being. He has amassed an astonishing amount of lore on the natural history of wolves. "I suspect," he writes, "that when we argue about wolves, we are arguing about love and hate, peace and war, killing and kindness. We are arguing about our own hearts and souls." Indeed, the essential paradox of the wolf is that our response to this noble being provides a measure of our own humanity.

Animals as Guides for the Soul

Susan McElroy has explored the wide and enriching horizons of human relationships with animals, and in this book she attempts to broaden and deepen the understanding of those relationships. She has discovered that animals are indeed guides in the development of our souls. In this deeply personal yet universal testament to the profound connection between animals and humans, there is wisdom and blessing.

Kinship With All Life

J. Allen Boone shows in this book how animals communicate with each other and the people who understand them through simple, challenging, real-life experiences. He has found that men and women everywhere are being made acutely aware of the fact that something essential to life and well-being is flickering very low in the human species and threatening to go out entirely. This something has to do with such values as love, unselfishness, integrity, sincerity, loyalty to one's best, honesty, enthusiasm, humility, goodness, happiness, and fun. He finds that practically every animal still has these assets in abundance and is eager to share them, given the opportunity and encouragement.

Animal angels: Amazing Acts of Love and Compassion

Stephanie Laland portrays many true, heartwarming stories about remarkable animals-not only dogs and cats, but also gorillas, dolphins, seagulls, rats, and pigs-who have performed amazing acts of love and compassion.

Minding Animals: Awareness, Emotions, and Heart

Marc Bekoff takes us on an exhilarating tour of the emotional and mental world of animals, where we meet creatures who do amazing things and whose lives are filled with mysteries. He reminds us, through recounting his own experiences and those of others, that animals-their intelligence and their emotions-should be considered, not by human standards, but by their own.

Animals Like Us

Mark Rowlands is a lecturer in philosophy at University College in Cork, Ireland. He argues that as conscious, sentient beings, animals have interests of their own that simply cannot be disregarded. Using simple principles, he shows that animals have moral rights and examines the consequences of our mistreatment of animals through the meat industry, animal experimentation, zoos, hunting, and so on. Rowlands writes from the animas' point of view followed by clear philosophical prose.

Beast and Man

The Dreaded Comparision

training cockatoos books on river otters animal advocacy animal behaviorist wild animal behavior


Science and Moral Imagination

Summary / Motivation

The values in science debate has shifted ground, from arguments for and against the ideal of value-free science, to detailed arguments about normative guidance for value-laden science. In this book, I offer an approach which I call “the ideal of moral imagination.” This ideal emphasizes the role of imagination in value judgment, and the positive role that value judgment plays in science. I contrast this ideal with other approaches in the contemporary debate that are best with a variety of problems. Contemporary accounts fail to specify what values are and what good value judgment consists in, or they presuppose untenable, simplicitic, or non-cognitivist views about values and value judgments. Many contemporary accounts of values in science are incompatible with our best understanding of the nature of scientific practice from the philosophy, cognitive studies, and social studies of scientific practice. Some of these accounts posit absolute or dogmatic criteria for “good science,” and compliance with such is liable to block the road of inquiry.

According to the ideal of moral imagination, scientists should be encouraged to recognize decision-points in their research, creatively explore possible choices, empathetically recognize potential stakeholders, discover morally salient aspects and consequences of their decisions, and make decisions that harmonize across ethical and epistemic considerations as far as possible. This approach joins recent work in practical ethics that emphasizes ethical perception, insight, creativity, and bottom-up problem-solving over top-down compliance, and so avoids the problems with compliance-oriented accounts.

The basic ideas behind the project are (1) that the scientific quest for knowledge and the ethical quest for a good life and a just society are deeply interrelated pursuits, ultimately inextricable from one another; (2) that scientific inquiry involves a series of interlocking, contingent, and open choices, which can only be resolved intelligently and responsibly through a process of value judgment; and, (3) that “responsible conduct of research” should be a process not merely of compliance with prior given principles or edicts, but should involve the creative exploration of the meaning and consequences of decisions made in the course of scientific inquiry.

The book is engaged primarily with the current debates about values in science, but it draws on two other influences. One is the pragmatism of John Dewey, particularly his views on the logic of inquiry, the nature of values, and the role of science in society. (The book is not, however, a work of historical scholarship on Dewey, and it does not engage in substantive Dewey interpretation.) The other is the philosophy of science in practice, a tradition that includes (in my view) the early Thomas Kuhn, the later Paul Feyerabend, Norwood Russell Hanson, Nancy Cartwright, John Dupré, and Hasok Chang, and also closely connected with the work of, among others, Peter Galison and Bruno Latour.

Projected Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
    Science is a deeply value-laden enterprise, and this is very much a good thing. Not only does the ampliative, practical nature of scientific inquiry make values ubiquitous in science, but responsible value judgment makes science better, both ethically and politically. The possibilities revealed by science’s value-ladenness can only be realized if scientists recognize the need for moral imagination and value judgment in science.
  2. Empirical Science as Practical Inquiry
    The role of values in science can best be understood against a background image of scientific inquiry. While we tend to think of science in terms of an accumulated body of knowledge, this is more a residue of science than the main event. Scientific practice is primarily a process of problem-solving, practical inquiry into problems connected with practices of predication, explanation, and control. The distinctive value of science depends in the first instance on its nature as systematic, experimental, practical inquiry. In this way, science is much more closely aligned with engineering and biomedical research than philosophers of science have tended to believe.
    The process of scientific inquiry involves many contingent features and decision-points throughout. Logically speaking, these contingencies amount to unforced choices, even if they are practically settled by habit or institutional factors. Scientific inquirers are not always aware of these contingencies, but recent empirical research shows that it is possible for scientists to learn to recognize them as such and make them reflectively rather than implicitly or habitually. Insofar as these choices have significant and foreseeable social and ethical implications, scientists are responsible for exercising sound value judgment in making those choices. This argument generalizes from a range of commonly used arguments for the value-ladenness of science, better capturing the general structure that shows that science requires values.
  4. The Need for a Theory of Values for Science and Values
    It is widely recognized by contemporary philosophers of science that science cannot be a value-free enterprise, and that the ideal of value-free science is not desirable. But most philosophers of science have thin, impoverished views about what values consist in. Indeed, many accounts of values in science presuppose a kind of unintentional, simplistic non-cognitivism. A better account of the nature and source of values, and their status in empirical inquiry, is needed.
  5. The Sources of Values for Value-Laden Science
    A respectable account of values for empirical, practical scientific inquiry should be naturalistic, pragmatic, but cognitivist. As it happens, such accounts are the most plausible accounts of values. Values have many sources and come in many types. Some are closely linked to biological imperatives. Others are specific to contemporary democratic society and the institutions of science. The many shapes and sizes that values come in make clear the need for an account of value judgment that can resolve their potential conflicts in practice.
  6. Value Judgment as Empirical Inquiry
    Moral deliberation or value judgment is not merely an a priori, rational, intellectual process. Moral deliberation must be sensitive to the context of particular problematic situations where values conflict or are indeterminate. The plurality of values, the need for situational specificity, and the continuum between means and ends mean that value judgment is a type of empirical inquiry. As a result, value judgments properly so called have an independent empirical status. Crucial to warranted value judgment is the use of moral imagination.
  7. The Ideal of Moral Imagination
    One scientific inquiry proper has concluded, there are still important value judgments to be made concerning the way scientific judgment influences society. Often, the problems that spur scientific inquiry are closely related to needs for the application of knowledge through technology or policy. But the connection is never direct, and so there are important choices to be made, and value judgments must guide the process. In these cases, the role of stakeholders and the public in determining the source of values is paramount.


Canadians' attitudes about scientists

Review from the Office of the Ombudsman | English Services

The complainant objected to comments made by the host of the Lang & O’Leary Exchange about climate change during a discussion about a poll measuring Canadians’ attitudes about scientists. There was no violation of CBC policy.

In a broadcast of the Lang & O’Leary Exchange, broadcast originally on December 28, 2012, on CBC News Network and repeated on the main network December 30, Amanda Lang and her co-host Som Seif had a brief discussion about a Nanos poll measuring Canadians’ attitudes about scientists. It measured how much trust Canadians had on four issues. The score for two of them ranged from 70% and above, but on the other two issues, that number was lower. One issue was the safety of genetically modified foods, the other climate change. You strongly objected to Ms Lang’s comments about climate change, in which she expressed some sympathy for those who were uncomfortable with the science. “She stated that there lacks scientific consensus if the global warming phenomena is real , when the opposite is true – there are no credible scientific journals or scientific societies in the world who have noted any evidence to suggest the world is not indeed warming and most lines of evidence point to an anthropological etiology.” Furthermore, you felt this was an “explicit falsehood” and was being done to further a particular “hard right bias.” You also felt she misrepresented what happened in an incident involving the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in November of 2009.

The Executive Producer of the Lang & O’Leary Exchange, Robert Lack, responded. He pointed out that expressing a discomfort, as some 28% of Canadians did in the Nanos poll, is not the same as “stating an explicit falsehood on climate change.” He states: “Ms Lang is referencing the Nanos poll here and simply saying she feels similar to the results of the poll – that conflicting stories on climate change make her less comfortable with the research in this area than the science in other issues.”

The segment in question was a brief discussion of the poll results. In all, the two hosts spent about 4 minutes analyzing them – mostly talking about what creates trust, and the way science influences policy. Ms Lang brought up the question of climate change because public trust was lower when it came to this issue. What she said was “It would be really nice to be comfortable about the science on this. And frankly, it’s hard to feel comfortable because you get this kerfuffle with e-mails that have been suppressed and scientists who don’t agree who are actually quite credible.”

CBC journalistic policy emphasizes the need for accuracy, fairness and balance. Journalists make a commitment to truth telling as they know it. It acknowledges that there is more than one perspective, and that facts can change and are open to interpretation. The context of the discussion can also be relevant. Achieving balance and fairness is about keeping all of these factors in mind.

This review cannot be a definitive discussion of the science of climate change. The exchange you are concerned about was not meant to be a fulsome discussion of the issue, and it relied on shorthand in its references, perhaps to a fault, for an issue so complex.

This review can only assess whether, in context, the program abided by CBC policy. When Ms Lang said there are credible scientists who don’t agree, she was repeating facts. She didn’t specify whom she was referring to, or whether they were deniers or still skeptical of some of the findings.

You are correct when you say virtually every national science organization and peer reviewed research is moving to a consensus. But there are scientists at credible institutions who have expressed concerns about some aspects of research. For example, while NASA officially takes a strong position on climate change, some former scientists and astronauts have taken issue with that position. The arguments within the scientific community have led to public doubt. And that confusion is well documented around the “kerfuffle with e-mails.” In November 2009, there was a controversy over a large number of documents and e-mails hacked from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit. Climate skeptics tried to use the leaks to prove that the scientists had been manipulating data, and that their conclusions were therefore wrong.The timing of these leaks was particularly fraught as it was just weeks before the United Nations Copenhagen summit on climate change.

In the wake of the controversy, four inquiries were launched. They all concluded the same thing: that neither the science nor the integrity of the scientists were in doubt. As one of them, The Independent Climate Change e-mails Review, commissioned by the University of East Anglia, said: “we find that “their (the scientists) honesty and vigor are not in doubt,” and that their behavior did not undermine the conclusions that the International Panel on Climate Change had drawn. In other words, the science was intact. There was, however, criticism of the lack of transparency in the work – not sharing raw data, and trying to stop papers that were critical of their work. So for Ms Lang to cite this incident as a reason why people are less certain of the science of climate change is accurate. At least for a time, confusion led to uncertainty.

That leaves an assessment of balance and fairness. As part of a discussion about the credibility of scientists and how that influences public opinion and policy, it meets the threshold. It would have been clearer though, if some attribution had been used, rather than broad statements. CBC’s policy on Balance states “On issues of controversy, we ensure that divergent views are reflected respectfully, taking into account their relevance to the debate and how widely held these views are (held).” In characterizing views on climate change, Ms Lang did that. While she also stated she had some sympathy for those who are distrustful, she did not advocate a position that denies climate change. There was no violation of CBC policy.

Esther Enkin CBC Ombudsman


Headon: Turbine turned down

Have your say

Councillors voted overwhelmingly to reject a wind turbine in Headon, despite officer recommendations.

Just a single member of Bassetlaw District council’s planning committee voted to approve the application, which would have been the applicant’s second turbine in the same field.

Citing the cumulative effect of turbines - the proposed generator would be the fourth in the area - councillors refused to sanction what they described as a ‘wind farm by stealth.’

The lie of the land was also taken into consideration, with the proposed turbine being visible from all directions.

Speaking in opposition to the turbine, local resident Mrs Harvey told councillors that feeling in the village was “higher than it had ever been” against the application.

She added: “They know a wind farm won’t be approved, so they do it one by one.”

“This would be the third turbine to be built within 300m, how is this not a wind farm?”

Doubts were also cast over noise assessments, which claimed the turbine would not be a nuisance at a distance of over 115m.

The proposed site would be the second within 250m of a house in the village.

Councillor Dave Challinor raised the issue of how a wind farm is defined, as there is no numerical definition in law.

Councillor Graham Oxby suggested that further applications would follow if the turbine was approved.

He added: “This is beginning to look like a consecutive process.”

“In my opinion it looks like they’re trying to build a wind farm, and every couple of months could be back with another one.”

The proposed turbine at Headon would have been 24m tall, 6m smaller than originally planned after residents voiced their concerns.

The application stated that construction of the turbine would create jobs for local people, while excess energy generated would have been sold to the National Grid.

However, Coun Oxby disputed the amount of energy generated by an individual turbine, adding: “A little windmill in a field wouldn’t make a great deal of difference.”

The turbine would have remained in place for the next 25 years before being decommissioned and subsequently deconstructed, with some councillors concerned about the cost of returning the land to its current condition.


Harem the Origin – Kizumonogatari Part III: Reiketsu

Game of Undeath – Kizumonogatari Part II: Nekketsu

Pervert Rising – Kizumonogatari Part I: Tekketsu

The transformation of the Japanese animation studio SHAFT from b-player to cult sensation is, at this point, old history for anime fans. Ever since director Shinbou Akiyuki became the face of the now 40-year-old studio back in the mid-2000s, it’s come to garner a loyal following and a reputation for highly eccentric aesthetics that revel in both character design and visual design.

Among the shows that carry the SHAFT name, the Monogatari series might be considered its flagship title: based on the light novels by author Nisio Isin, his signature twisting of expectations, eclectic cast of characters including a variety of attractive (fantasy) girls and love for verbose dialogue combined with elaborate wordplay seems almost a perfect fit for Shinbou and SHAFT. And so, the Monogatari anime have continued to come out, most recently with the release of the film Kizumonogatari Part I: Tekketsu.

Kizumonogatari is based on the light novel by the same name. The third work in the series, its story is a prequel that explores how main character Araragi Koyomi became a vampire, and how he first meets both the vampire who the audience would eventually know as Shinobu, as well as his mentor, Oshino Meme. This first film presents Araragi as someone unaccustomed to the occult, and in a way also unaccustomed to the pervert he would become. While he would eventually become a righteous horndog, here he’s only begun to awaken to his true self.

After so many iterations, many of the Monogarari anime’s visual flourishes are familiar territory, such as the use of live footage for backgrounds or sudden changes in visual style. That being said, there is one aspect of Kizumonogatari Part I that I found surprising, which is the relative lack of dialogue in the film. The Monogatari anime is known for mostly being back-and-forth conversations between characters, or inner monologues that get into every little detail possible in Araragi’s head, but here it’s mostly presented in a “show, don’t tell” way that defies the series’ typical behavior. Even when characters speak, the conversations aren’t as laden with Japanese puns or small twists in pronunciation that change the meanings of sentences entirely.

Perhaps the most notable example is an early scene where the character Hanekawa Tsubasa accidentally flashes her underwear at Araragi. In the TV series, there would have been a detailed inner monologue about the exact specs of her panties. In the light novel, the description goes on for three pages. In the film, however, hardly a word is given in reference to that moment, and the degree to which Araragi is so completely turned on by his memory of their encounter is expressed in his sweaty, panicked expressions, heavy breath, and his eventual trip to the convenience store to buy a dirty magazine that happens to feature a girl who resembles Tsubasa. Which is to say, if not for the loving detail they put into this theatrical release, it could be seen as kind of tame for Monogatari.

The film isn’t only about Araragi being horny, of course, but it pretty much sets the stage for what’s to come. I also want to point out that the impressive visuals aren’t limited to just showing off girls. The first few minutes of the film feature a man on fire, and the way he writhes about and the way the flames themselves are animated as they engulf his body is nothing short of impressive.

As of Kizumonogatari Part I, I think the film is capable of standing on its own without prior knowledge, as what we would later learn about the characters has yet to be relevant. Meme is just a mysterious stranger. “Kiss-Shot” the vampire has no other name. Tsubasa is a potential love interest. I doubt that those who never enjoyed Monogatari would change their minds here, but it is worth mentioning that the film is both the least verbose yet most vampire-tastic of all the different Monogatari works.

Two final notes:

First, it’s a shame this film was released after the end of Owarimonogatari, because many of the small details here clearly set up moments in that series.

Second, there’s a Tetsujin 28 reference in Kizumonogtari Part I. Just watch the opening, and keep it in mind when you see the movie:


Is our world struggling to identify Gender Roles?

Is our world struggling to identify Gender Roles?

Gender roles vary widely between cultures and even in the same cultural tradition have differed over time and context. There are differences of opinion as to which observed differences in behavior and personality between genders are entirely due to innate personality of the peron and which are due to cultural or social factors, and are therefore the product of socialization, or to what extent gender differences are due to biological and physiological differences.

Views on gender-based differentiation in the workplace and in interpersonal relationships have often undergone profound changes as a result of feminist and/or economic influences, but there are still considerable differences in gender roles in almost all societies. It is also true that in times of necessity, such as during a war or other emergency, women are permitted to perform functions which in “normal” times would be considered a male role, or vice versa.

Gender has several definitions. It usually refers to a set of characteristics that are considered to distinguish between male and female, reflect one’s biological sex, or reflect one’s gender identity. Gender identity is the gender(s), or lack thereof, a person self-identifies as; it is not necessarily based on biological sex, either real or perceived, and it is distinct from sexual orientation. It is one’s internal, personal sense of being a man or a woman (or a boy or girl). There are two main genders: masculine (male), or feminine (female), although some cultures acknowledge more genders. Androgyny, for example, has been proposed as a third gender. Some societies have more than five genders, and some non-Western societies have three genders – man, woman and third gender. Gender expression refers to the external manifestation of one’s gender identity, through “masculine,” “feminine,” or gender-variant or gender neutral behavior, clothing, hairstyles, or body characteristics.

A person’s gender role is composed of several elements and can be expressed through clothing, behaviour, choice of work, personal relationships and other factors. These elements are not concrete and have evolved through time (for example women’s trousers).

Traditionally only feminine and masculine gender roles existed, however, over time many different acceptable male or female gender roles have emerged. An individual can either identify themselves with a subculture or social group which results in them having diverse gender roles. Historically, for example, eunuchs had a different gender role because their biology was changed.

Androgyny, a term denoting the display of both male and female behaviour, also exists. Many terms have been developed to portray sets of behaviors arising in this context. The masculine gender role in the West has become more malleable since the 1950s. One example is the “sensitive new age guy”, which could be described as a traditional male gender role with a more typically “female” empathy and associated emotional responses. Another is the metrosexual, a male who adopts or claims to be born with similarly “female” grooming habits. Some have argued that such new roles are merely rebelling against tradition more so than forming a distinct role. However, traditions regarding male and female appearance have never been concrete, and men in other eras have been equally interested with their appearance.

The popular conceptualization of homosexual men, which has become more accepted in recent decades, has traditionally been more androgynous or effeminate, though in actuality homosexual men can also be masculine and even exhibit machismo characteristics. One could argue that since many homosexual men and women fall into one gender role or another or are androgynous, that gender roles are not strictly determined by a person’s physical sex. Whether or not this phenomenon is due to social or biological reasons is debated. Many homosexual people find the traditional gender roles to be very restrictive, especially during childhood.

Also, the phenomenon of intersex people, which has become more publicly accepted, has caused much debate on the subject of gender roles. Many intersexual people identify with the opposite sex, while others are more androgynous. Some see this as a threat to traditional gender roles, while others see it as a sign that these roles are a social construct, and that a change in gender roles will be liberating.

According to sociology research, traditional feminine gender roles have become less relevant in Western society since industrialization started. For example, the cliché that women do not follow a career is obsolete in many Western societies. On the other hand, the media sometimes portrays women who adopt an extremely classical role as a subculture.

Women take on many roles that were traditionally reserved for men, as well as behaviors and fashions, which may cause pressure on many men to be more masculine and thus confined within an even smaller gender role, while other men react against this pressure. For example, men’s fashions have become more restrictive than in other eras, while women’s fashions have become more broad. One consequence of social unrest during the Vietnam War era was that men began to let their hair grow to a length that had previously (within recent history) been considered appropriate only for women. Somewhat earlier, women had begun to cut their hair to lengths previously considered appropriate only to men.

Social construction of gender difference

This perspective proposes that gender difference is socially constructed. Social constructionism of gender moves away from socialization as the origin of gender differences; people do not merely internalize gender roles as they grow up but they respond to changing norms in society.

Social constructs are generally understood to be the by-products of countless human choices rather than laws resulting from Divine Will or nature. This is not usually taken to imply a radical anti-determinism, however. Social constructionism is usually opposed to essentialism, which instead defines specific phenomena in terms of inherent and transhistorical essences independent of conscious beings that determine the categorical structure of reality.

Because social constructs as facets of reality and objects of knowledge are not “given” by nature, they must be constantly maintained and re-affirmed in order to persist. This process also introduces the possibility of change: what “justice” is and what it means shifts from one generation to the next.

Children learn to categorize themselves by gender very early on in life. A part of this is learning how to display and perform gendered identities as masculine or feminine. Boys learn to manipulate their physical and social environment through physical strength or other skills, while girls learn to present themselves as objects to be viewed. Children monitor their own and others’ gendered behavior. Gender-segregated children’s activities creates the appearance that gender differences in behavior reflect an essential nature of male and female behavior.

Judith Butler, in works such as Gender Trouble and Undoing Gender, contends that being female is not “natural” and that it appears natural only through repeated performances of gender; these performances in turn, reproduce and define the traditional categories of sex and/or gender.

A social constructionist view looks beyond categories and examines the intersections of multiple identities, the blurring of the boundaries of essentialist categories. This is especially true with regards to categories of male and female that are typically viewed by others as binary and opposites of each other. By deconstructing categories of gender, the value placed on masculine traits and behaviors disappears. However, the elimination of categories makes it difficult to make any comparisons between the genders or to argue and fight against male domination.

Our world has is in a transitional period of change, and with that comes many new ‘issues’. The challenge for all of our inhabitants on this planet, both male and female is to work on themselves as individuals, regardless of age, gender, or sexuality?

Here is a fun question for the MEN of our WORLD: “Are you MAN enough to be a NURSE?”

Women in nearly all societies around the world at disadvantaged from the moment they are born simply because the rules have been written to favor males. For a very long time women in the US were relegated to the private sphere, if they had the class privilege, and men were expected to be in the public sphere. Again, the dichotomy here public/private reinforces what is important and what is “personal” and therefore unimportant, respectively.

The male norm of reference (ie. when someone says, “Think of a person,” most people think of a man) means that women are expected to be able to physically and emotionally act like men if they are to compete in the public sphere while men who wish to stay home and care for their children, though ridiculed for their choices, are not expected to give up their “masculine” traits.

Sports and physical strength is the best example of this. Over and over again in opposition to the idea that men and women should be equal is the statement that men and women are not physically equal. True. Yet, the definition of what physical strength is was written to describe a man! Practically all sports were invented by men and then when women cannot best men at their own game they are considered undeserving of equality???

FEMINIST ACTIVIST says: “I am not advocating all women disregard their feminine traits or men throw off their masculinities, rather, I want everyone to be free to be who s/he is without coercion from society telling them they are too this or not enough that. The world would not exist without balance, and socially constructed gender roles brazenly defy any balance within an individual because certain qualities have been labeled as being “boys only” or “girls only.”

Every single one of us needs to embrace the “feminine” and “masculine” traits within us and not being afraid to flout tradition.

Speak Your Mind


Blood test.

blood - this is the main breeding ground of the human body.Continuously circulating in it and supplying the cells with oxygen and all necessary metabolites, it performs its basic functions.In addition, the blood is also a protection against the introduction of the set of infectious diseases and preventing bleeding in case of damage of any vessel.Provided is a special coagulation system consisting of a complex set of proteins.Now we discuss this in more detail.

structure hemostasis

It should find out what the hemostatic system.It consists of two components antagonistic to each other - coagulation and anticoagulation.But at the same time, they complement each other, so that the blood does not change its quality parameters and was able to feed on other tissues.The first takes precedence bleeding when necessary to create a blood clot obturation open lumen in the vessel wall.The second is activated immediately after the end of the first, thereby preventing increased coagulation and thrombosis such severe

consequences, such as stroke and myocardial infarction.

Therefore, in many diseases common blood test is taken.Blood clotting and its bacterial seeding - is the goal of this study.Based on its data, you can make the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

components in the overall analysis of blood

Among the components of the coagulation system occupy an important place as cells and proteins.This primarily platelets, which, in addition to its primary function, also provide food endothelium lining the inside of all blood vessels.Their number can be found by passing the Clinical common blood test.Clotting, however, depends not only on their number, but also on quality.For example, in congenital failure function of these cells develop thrombocytopathy, difficult to identify and is characterized by multiple, difficult to stop bleeding, which may eventually lead to loss of life.Another simple, supplied even in the detailed clinical analysis of blood - clotting time, Lee-White.It is determined by swinging the tube taken from the substrate until it Nonseparated thick bunch.

characteristic factors

proteins as belonging to the coagulation system, called thirteen factors.Its uniqueness is that they are normally in an inactive state until there is a reason for their activities as well as their run complicated circuit in which they act as catalysts for the following reactions.Thus, this system remains relatively isolated.Characteristics of the quality of their work is included in the narrow blood - "blood clotting" or "coagulation".It includes a limited number of options, but the doctor who owns the knowledge about them can be accurately called the cause of the violation of hemostasis, and even the underlying disease.Thus, decoding of blood tests "clotting" is important in the clinical experience of each specialist, and therefore we shall discuss it in more detail.

Key indicators of coagulation

So, in this study consists of the following key concepts.

  • first .D-dimer is an important indicator of blood clots and therefore is used for the early diagnosis of thrombosis.Pregnant women found in elevated amounts (3-4 times) by the end of gestation, but this is a variant of the norm.Finding it is a much greater concentration of evidence already on the pathological course of pregnancy.In addition, it is revealed increase in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hemorrhagic complications, severe infections.
  • second concept .Prothrombin time parallel computation index and PTI INR (prothrombin index) characterizes the state of the blood coagulation system and is measured by Koagulometers and formulas.Defined as for the evaluation of hemostasis and in the treatment of indirect anticoagulants.
  • third. Fibrinogen - a complex protein.It is the backbone to form a blood clot - thrombus.Its increase accompanies hepatitis, renal disease, myocardial infarction, radiation disease, malignant tumor.However, as observed during pregnancy, during menstruation, as well as with oral contraceptives with a primary estrogenic component.

Indicators protivosvertyvaniya

  • fourth term .Lupus coagulant is a group of antibodies against its own platelets, which is a manifestation of severe autoimmune process.Most often found in the pathology of pregnancy, t. E. In gestosis.It explains the presence of severe hemodynamic disorders - swelling, blood pressure, high probability of miscarriage.Therefore, analysis of blood, "blood clotting" is conducted to all pregnant women in order to avoid this option.
  • fifth. Antithrombin-3, in contrast, is a protein anticoagulation system and a thrombin inhibitor.If the patient is losing blood, "blood clotting" and the resulting decline in this component, it indicates a risk of thrombosis.Also, the definition of antithrombin-3 is important for the control of patients receiving long-term anticoagulant drugs of (drug "TromboASS", "Cardiomagnyl", "clopidogrel").

Summing up

addition to the above, there is a measure aPTT that most clearly reflects sufficient / deficit number of clotting factors.And because of its identification of the most important in the genesis of various hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, the presence of inhibitors of coagulation or excessive anticoagulation.It should be noted that a blood test for clotting can only be indicated.However, if you suspect a violation at the hemostatic system, an urgent need to go to the doctor.


How to move forward on a bus system charter ammendment?

A bell pepper core. After getting to the core of things..
How do we reorganize the core for presentation to others?

How would I recast the arguments of "Put carts on the public bus..." to appropriately address lawmakers?

How would I address transit agency directors and engineers?

  1. The history of public transit is the collapse of private transit and the development of public transit funding and public transit organizations.
  2. No matter whether the funding is public or private, transit service agencies operate with a very low load factor or utilization of available capacity.
  3. More...


/ Career / The Importance of Saying No

The Importance of Saying No

Kate Gitman 6 months ago - in Career, Lifestyle

How many times have you said ‘Yes’ when you wanted to say something completely different? I’ve noticed that I feel terrible in such situations. I don’t want to be impolite, selfish and rude and I don’t want to disappoint others. I often say ‘Yes’ just to avoid unnecessary questions and confrontations. However, saying ‘Yes’ is a wasting habit that eats up energy and time. Do you really think that your needs are less important than the needs of your friends, colleagues and others? When you try to please everyone you can lose your true self. Thus you should learn to say ‘No’ and enjoy your life.

1. Eliminate unhealthy relationships

Saying ‘Yes’ to everybody can lead to a toxic relationship. Indeed, some people just try to avoid their responsibilities and duties, thus they appear in your life only when they want something from you. However, if you manage to say ‘No’ at least once, they’ll try to find someone else to manipulate. The ability to say ‘No’ will improve the quality of your relationship with people and reveal your true friends.

2. More time

You have only 24 hours in a day and it’s up to you to manage your time properly. If you feel that you’re short of time or that you waste your time fulfilling other people’s requests, chances are you’ll never reach your own goals. Other people cannot determine your day and to-do list. Don’t be afraid to say openly ‘No, I won’t do that because I have no time’. Straightforwardness is disarming and helpful when you want to settle a question.

3. You can focus on important things

When you say ‘Yes’ to unimportant things you put off your own goals. Try to concentrate on things that promote your professional and personal advancement. Get rid of any distractions and focus your attention on inspirational and useful subjects. When I eliminated all the distractions and minor things I became a more productive and successful person.

4. Overwork

It’s great if you jump at every opportunity that your work offers. It’s okay if you want to prove your commitment, get advancement and earn some money. But most probably you’re just afraid to face the results of saying ‘No.’ Being overwhelmed and overstressed with your work won’t make you a successful person. You should know your limits and capabilities. Remember that it’s absolutely okay to refuse doing work for your colleagues or take additional work.

Read also – 9 Signs You Should Take a Career Break Today

5. No manipulation

You’d better stay away from people who try to manipulate your opinion and behavior. You’re not a puppet on a string and others cannot rule your life. The problem is that many people feel guilty and miserable when they say ‘No,’ even if they know it’s a cynical manipulation. You should learn to see the difference between a friendly request and manipulation. Being manipulated is extremely harmful; gradually you accumulate resentment and anger and chances are a little trifle will turn into a great falling-out.

6. Higher level of happiness and satisfaction

Happiness is about living in sync with your needs and actions. Saying ‘No’ to things and people that drain you can greatly simplify your life and make you a more content person. Sure, you should say ‘No’ in a polite and positive manner. Start the statement with “Thanks, but…” and your opponent will hardly get angry with you. Being happy isn’t so hard; you should just recognize and do what you really want.

7. Being selfish isn’t so bad

Many people avoid saying ‘No’ because it looks like you’re selfish. However, is selfishness a totally bad thing? Don’t jump to conclusions. Psychology experts claim that being selfish can make you a happier, healthier and better person. Surprisingly, but those who take care of their needs first have better relationships with others because they can set boundaries and keep certain distance. That’s why it’s okay to give up the idea of overall altruism and start living your life to the fullest. It took me a considerable amount of time to realize that putting myself first is normal. It’s just my right to fulfill my needs first.

8. Less stress

Each time you say ‘No’ to unwanted things, you say ‘Yes’ to something really interesting and worthwhile. However, when you keep back the desire to refuse, you suffer from anxiety, reproaches and even physical pain. The difference between your actions and thoughts is the major stressor. Fortunately, you can take control over the situation, you should simply say ‘No’ when you really want to say it.

You’ll find it difficult to reject people’s requests and most probably you’ll face some misunderstanding and resentment. But it’s your life and your right to decide what’s worth your time and energy. You don’t have to explain anything, just make sure your refusals sound polite and respectful. The ability to say ‘No’ will bring peace and enjoyment into your life. How often do you say ‘Yes’ when you want to say ‘No’?


For other uses, see Maraca (disambiguation).

Hornbostel–Sachs classification 112.1
(Shaken Idiophones or Rattles)

Machito, Monguito

File:Maracas.ogg Maracas (

Often one ball is pitched high, and the other is pitched low. There is evidence of clay maracas used by the natives of Colombia 1500 years ago. The word maraca is thought to have come from the Tupi language of Brazil, where it is pronounced 'ma-ra-KAH'. They are known in Trinidad as shac-shacs.[2] The leather maracas were introduced in 1955 by a Venezuelan percussionist.[3]

Even if it is a simple instrument, the method of playing the maracas is not obvious. The seeds or dried beans must travel some distance before they hit the leather, wood, or plastic, so the player must anticipate the rhythm. One can also strike the maraca against one's hand or leg to get a different sound. In a radio program that band leader Vincent Lopez hosted in the early 1950s called Shake the Maracas, audience members competed for small prizes by playing the instrument with the orchestra.

Maracas are heard in many forms of Latin music, and are also used in pop and classical music. They are considered characteristic of the music 123roblox of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Jamaica and Brazil. Maracas are often played at celebrations and special events. In rock and roll, they are probably most identified with Bo Diddley, who wrote the song "Bring it to Jerome" about his maraca player, Jerome Green (who also played maracas for Chuck Berry). Maracas are also very popular with children and are commonly included in the instruments of the rhythm band.

List of musicians playing (also) the maracas


470 P.2d 487
12 Ariz. App. 339

John PROPHET and Martha Prophet, Husband and Wife, Appellants,
S. H. Kress Company, Appellee

No. 1 CA-CIV 1049

Arizona Court of Appeals

June 10, 1970

Benton & Case, by F. Keith Benton, Yuma, for appellants.

Westover, Keddie & Choules, by Tom C. Cole, Yuma, for appellee.

Cameron, Judge. Donofrio, P. J., concurs. Jacobson, Judge (dissenting).

This is a suit for personal injuries sustained by the plaintiff, Martha Prophet, as a result of a "slip and fall" accident. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant. From a denial of a motion for a new trial plaintiffs appeal.

We are called upon to determine whether it was error to instruct the jury upon the issue of contributory negligence.

The facts viewed in a light most favorable to sustaining the instruction given by the trial court indicate that on or about the 8th day of November, 1967, the plaintiff, Martha Prophet, slipped and fell while leaving the premises of the S. H. Kress Company thereby sustaining severe injuries to her left knee and leg.

At the trial several witnesses testified concerning plaintiff Martha Prophet's remarks after the accident. One Mildred Tout testified:

"Q Can you tell me what, if anything, she said about her shoes?

"A She said that she had fallen with those shoes. She showed me a bruise or a scratch on the other leg, knee or leg, where she had fallen before. It was scabbed over.

"Q What did she say specifically, if you can recall, about her shoes?

"A She just said these shoes, 'I have fallen with these shoes before; I should have thrown them away, and I should have got some new ones.' And she said that is why she had come to the store, to get new shoes.

"Q Who was she talking to then?

"A To everyone around. We were all standing there close, not directly, I don't think her answers were to anyone in particular."

Plaintiff Martha Prophet testified that she had previously fallen while wearing the same shoes:

"Q Tell what you were doing?

"A Well, I went across to the neighbors. They (sic) was, someone, I don't know who, had trimmed up some lemon trees, and there was a lot of nice big nice lemons just going to waste * * * and I made a run, and I run and I jumped across, I made it across, I jumped across the flower bed. * * *

"Q All right. Now, the surface that you jumped from, what type of surface was it?

"A Cement.

"Q And on what type of surface did you land on on that occasion?

"A Cement.

" Q Had you ever fallen or slipped in these shoes other than on that occasion?

"A No.

"Q All right. Speak up, please. What happened to cause you to fall on that occasion?

"A Well, when I jumped why my dress, skirt or dress, whatever you want to call it, was kind of narrow, and it knocked my legs from me, and I fell."

The shoes were put in evidence and are present in this Court's file. They are "loafer" type shoes, also called "flats", of soft leather and a "low" heel of hard plastic. There is nothing unusual about the shoe that would indicate that they were dangerous. Indeed, the testimony indicated that the same identical shoe was sold in defendant's store on the day of the accident.

The trial court gave an instruction on contributory negligence and the plaintiff urges that the giving of the instruction was erroneous for the reason that the evidence failed to present a fact issue on this theory.

In Arizona, "[t]he defense of contributory negligence * * * shall, in all cases whatsoever, be a question of fact and shall, at all times, be left to the jury", Ariz.Const., Art. 18, § 5 A.R.S., and the jury should be instructed regarding contributory negligence so long as the instruction finds reasonable support in the evidence. Eck v. Helene Curtis Industries, Inc., 9 Ariz. App. 426, 453 P.2d 366 (1969), Heimke v. Munoz, 106 Ariz. 26, 470 P.2d 107, filed 27 May 1970.

"* * * We think, however, that this rule does not go to the extent of permitting a jury to find contributory negligence on the part of a plaintiff when there is no evidence from which any reasonable man might reach such a conclusion, as such a finding would clearly be actuated by passion and prejudice, and it would be the duty of the court to set it aside. Unless, therefore, there was some substantial evidence from which a reasonable man might have inferred it existed, the court should not have submitted the issue to the jury. * * *." Humphrey v. Atchison, T. & S. F. Ry. Co., 50 Ariz. 167, 173, 70 P.2d 319, 322 (1937). See also Butane Corporation v. Kirby, 66 Ariz. 272, 187 P.2d 325 (1947).

Although the words of the plaintiff might indicate her belief that the wearing of these shoes in some way contributed to the accident, we do not believe the evidence indicates that there was, in fact, a causal connection between the wearing of these shoes and the fall. Most shoes can, to some degree, contribute to the fall of a person on a slippery floor as was indicated herein, but this does not mean that a person must walk barefoot to be free from contributory negligence in a slip and fall case:

"It is held that the standard of care to be employed in measuring contributory negligence is the conduct of an ordinarily prudent person under the same or similar circumstances." Stoes Brothers, Inc. v. Freudenthal, 81 N.M. 61, 463 P.2d 37, 39 (1969).

"The evidence as to the circumstances of the accident showed that appellant, while holding on to the handrail, and descending the stairs slowly, had taken only one or two steps when she slipped and fell on the icy stairs. There were no facts indicating that she had acted other than as a reasonably prudent person, concerned with his own safety, would have acted. On these facts reasonable minds could reach only one conclusion: that appellant was not negligent." Cummins v. King & Sons, Alaska, 453 P.2d 465, 467 (1969).

We do not believe that the wearing of these shoes at this place, in light of her previous fall, raised an inference that plaintiff as an ordinary prudent person was negligent in wearing the shoes in the store. The defendant must expect that many different types of footwear are in common everyday use and that a slippery surface may cause a person to fall regardless of the shoes ordinarily worn by the public. Collins v. Kienow's Food Stores, Or., 444 P.2d 546 (1968).

We cannot look into the mind of a jury to determine whether the result might have been the same without the instruction on contributory negligence. However, there being no evidence to warrant a conclusion that the plaintiff was in fact contributorily negligent, we believe it was error to so instruct:

"Where there is no evidence of contributory negligence there is no proper 'defense' of contributory negligence and there is no 'question' of contributory negligence to be submitted to the jury and it would be error to allow the jury to consider that issue. (citations omitted) We hold, therefore, that where contributory negligence has been pleaded as a defense and where there is no evidence from which a reasonable man might infer that contributory negligence might exist the trial judge must withdraw the issue from the jury." Sax v. Kopelman, 96 Ariz. 394, 397, 396 P.2d 17, 19 (1964).

Plaintiff raises other matters for consideration on appeal. However, we do not believe it necessary to consider them at this time as they are of a nature that if there were error they are not likely to be repeated.

The judgment of the trial court is reversed and remanded for a new trial.

JACOBSON, Judge (dissenting).

I must respectfully dissent from the conclusions reached by a majority of this court. The sole question decided in the majority opinion is whether there was sufficient evidence to submit to the jury the question of plaintiff's contributory negligence.

In addition to the statement made by the plaintiff as to the effect of her shoes on her fall — she announced at one point following her fall "throw these darn things away, this is the second time they have made me fall" — there was also testimony that plaintiff was hurrying to another appointment and that she had been in defendant's store on several occasions and was familiar with the terrazzo tile in front of defendant's store.

While a trial judge may commit error by submitting the issue of contributory negligence to the jury where there is no evidence from which reasonable men could find such negligence, Sax v. Kopelman, 96 Ariz. 394, 396 P.2d 17 (1964), if there is any evidence from which plaintiff's contributory negligence may be inferred this issue must be submitted to the jury. Zakroff v. May, 8 Ariz. App. 101, 443 P.2d 916 (1968).

This can become a game in semantics — was there evidence or wasn't there evidence? This question must be tested by the same measure that tests the submission to the jury of any other fact question. If reasonable men might reach different conclusions from the facts as to the existence of negligence or contributory negligence, then such questions are for the jury. Bowers v. J. D. Halstead Lumber Co., 28 Ariz. 122, 236 P. 124 (1925); Campbell v. English, 56 Ariz. 549, 110 P.2d 219 (1941); Figueroa v. Majors, 85 Ariz. 345, 338 P.2d 803 (1959); State ex rel. Industrial Commission v. Standard Oil Co. of Calif., 3 Ariz. App. 389, 414 P.2d 992 (1966).

The majority of this Court would find that reasonable men could not differ on the question before us because "we do not believe the evidence indicates that there was, in fact, a causal connection between the wearing of these shoes and the fall." I have also viewed the shoes involved and while they appear to be ordinary shoes, plaintiff's statement that they caused her to fall coupled with plaintiff's hurrying and her prior knowledge as to the type of surface she was walking on, to me gives rise to a fact question as to causation. I would not usurp the jury's function of resolving this question of fact.

The majority also sustain their holding that reasonable men could not differ as to the question of contributory negligence by taking as true plaintiff's explanation of her previous fall. The majority states "we do not believe that the wearing of these shoes at this place in light of her previous fall raised any inference that plaintiff as an ordinary prudent person was negligent in wearing the shoes in the store." (Emphasis added.)

The credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony are within the province of the jury. Tom Reed Gold Mines Co. v. Brady, 58 Ariz. 44, 117 P.2d 484 (1941). When viewing the evidence in a light most strongly in favor of supporting the jury's verdict, as we must do on appeal, it is conceivable that the jury believed plaintiff's statement made at the time of the accident, while she was sitting on the sidewalk hurt and humiliated, that her shoes made her fall and did not believe the statement she made in court, after time for reflection, that her narrow skirt caused her to fall the first time. Neither I nor the other members of this court saw the plaintiff, viewed her demeanor or heard her testify. Because of this I will not, and this court should not, substitute its judgment for that of the jury as to what portion of this witness' testimony is capable of belief.

Plaintiff's out-of-court statement that her shoes caused her to fall came before the jury as substantive evidence. What weight this evidence was to be given was for the jury. As was stated in Holmes v. Gross, 250 Iowa 238, 93 N.W.2d 714 (1958):

"Appellant emphasizes the fact that when plaintiff was found at the bottom of the stairway he told defendant's husband the fall was his own fault; he also told defendant the same when she visited him at the hospital. He was seriously injured and in some shock, when found at the bottom of the stairway, and seriously sick in the hospital, and his statements under such circumstances while proper for consideration by the jury, are not conclusive as to contributory negligence. * * *

"The circumstances and conditions were such that the trial court was correct in overruling the motion for directed verdict on the ground of contributory negligence, and in submitting the question to the jury." (Emphasis added.) 93 N.W.2d, at 719 and 720.

Plaintiff's statement coupled with her hurrying and prior knowledge would, in my opinion, cause reasonable men to differ as to whether plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence. This issue, then, was properly submitted to the jury and its determination is binding on this appellate court.

I would affirm the judgment of the trial court.


175k Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Added in February

The "BLS" (Bureau of Labor Statistics) released their February Employment Situation summary earlier today.

175,000 non-farm payroll jobs were added in February while the national unemployment rate ticked higher to 6.7%. Economists had been expecting that the unemployment rate would stay the same (6.6%) and that 149,000 non-farm payroll jobs would be added. Bank of America and Deutsche Bank had been even more pessimistic, as they were predicting that 115,000-120,000 non-farm payroll jobs would be added.

The DJIA and S+P 500 cheered the jobs report, with the S+P 500 hitting yet another all-time high.

Let's break down the numbers a bit more.

247,085,000 Americans counted themselves as part of the civilian noninstitutional population in February, up 170,000 from the month before. This includes everyone over the age of 16 who is not an inmate of an institution and who is not on active duty in the Armed Forces.

155,724,000 Americans were part of the civilian labor force in February, up 264,000 from the month before. This includes everyone in the civilian noninstitutional population who either has a job or is actively looking for a job.

When we divide 155,724,000 by 247,085,000, we are left with a labor participation rate of 63%, which was unchanged from January.

145,266,000 Americans were counted as being employed in February, up 42,000 from the month before. The number of unemployed Americans, on the other hand, increased by 223,000 to 10,459,000. This leaves us with an employment rate of 6.7%.

The number of Americans not in the labor force (meaning that they are not working and not actively looking for work) dropped by 94,000 to 91,361,000 in February.

The unemployment rate for adult men increased by 6.2% to 6.4% in February, while the unemployment rate for adult women remained unchanged at 5.9%.

The unemployment rate for teenagers increased from 20.7% to 21.4%.

The number of Americans who have been unemployed for over 27 weeks increased by 203,000 to 3,849,000 in February.

The U-6 unemployment rate, which is an alternative measure of labor underutilization, fell 0.1% to 12.6% in February.

Source: BLS.gov - February Employment Situation Summary

Filed under: General Knowledge

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