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Fighting For Animal Rights
Who says only humans have rights. Animals have rights too although it is often overlooked by many simply because they are not up to par with the human race. They are the inferior species, it is true but it does not mean we can just trample on their rights just like that because they are living beings that can feel and get hurt too. Not everyone treats animals this way but it can’t be denied that there are those who enjoy inflicting pain and making these poor animals suffer for their own enjoyment. In the likes of these people are hunters, poachers, and everyone else who patronizes cruelty to animals in one way or the other.
Many times society has been torn as to what to feel and how to act on circumstances where animal life is not given importance at all. Science, after all, uses animals in their research and every other industry that require a testing of some sort before they can safely sell their products to their end consumers – humans. Shops that sell animal-related souvenirs or exotic delicacies are also included in this list. And if you look at it, our society has embraced some sort of tolerance to these behaviors over the years and some even consider it as part of the norm.
This dispute once again gave rise to questions about the legal personality of non-humans.
The 21st century has seen many attempts to recognise animals as legal subjects — from granting them protection from cruel treatment, to arguments for recognising them as legal persons and granting them property rights — but there has been discomfort in giving them a plenary membership within the human legal community. Scholars like Benjamin Berger have argued that it is the contrived attempt to treat humans and animals similarly that has obscured our understanding of animals as legal subjects, while moral philosopher Peter Singer contends that the idea of the species divide itself is feigned, and so the moral and legal distinction irrelevant.
(Via: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-legal-status-of-animals/article19710497.ece)
What confuses the majority are the conflicting perspectives of society in general over the very core meaning of animal rights and as to which animals have rights to be upheld and which ones aren’t that important. Remember that we are omnivorous eaters and meat is a big part of our cuisine, so it is understandable that we are torn over this subject because we eat fish, poultry, beef, etc. in our day-to-day meals. So, does that mean we stop eating meat from now on?
The Israeli march is expected to surpass a 1990 event in which 25,000 people marched for animal rights in Washington, DC.
Keynote speaker at Rabin Square at approximately 9:30pm will be Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the largest animal-rights organization in the world. Also coming to Israel for the event is James Aspey, a global animal-rights activist based in Sydney, Australia.
The march’s theme this year is “It’s in our hands.” Participants will be advocating for the rights of wild animals, strays and animals held in the entertainment, medical experiments, food and clothing industries, as well as for banning the sale of fur products in Israel, banning import of live animals for slaughter and increasing the national budget for spay-neuter programs.
(Via: https://www.israel21c.org/tel-aviv-to-host-worlds-largest-animal-rights-march/)
The issue of morality is the main reason why some people are fighting for the rights of these animals, aside from them not being able to fight for their rights themselves. If you think about it, there shouldn’t really be an issue on animal rights at all if we only learn to coexist with each other and respect the rights of one another. But unfortunately, there will be casualties as some species have to sacrifice in order for the human race to push forth the innovations and development we are all aspiring for.
While we can’t totally obliterate the conflict with animal rights, just being a little more sensitive about not hurting any animal in our daily life and not supporting any forms of cruelty towards the animal species as a whole is already a great start. You don’t necessarily have to become a vegan to make a point. The issue here is the senseless violence animals have to endure for human’s pleasure. Steer away from those and you are doing the best that you can in your own little ways.
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The Problem With Hygiene
Everyone understands the essence of a good hygiene. Of course, you don’t want to be that stinky person most people want to avoid. And it also plays a big role in your success or failure in life. The majority of us take a bath daily and spend a good deal of our time inside the bathroom, so it’s safe to say we spend years in total doing our personal thing in the comfort of that enclosed space. Women probably spend more time because they have to deal with more feminine issues than men do and they have their monthly period to deal with and other icky “girl” stuff.
There is nothing wrong with taking care of your hygiene because it has a big impact on your health. The problem now arises on the trash we leave behind from using the loo. Sanitary products like tissue paper, tampons, napkins, etc. can create a big problem once they pile up. It is even more taxing if they are flushed down the drain. While most of these products say it is safe to do so, we don’t really have an idea what happens to them after.
Sanitary products are made from approximately 90 per cent plastic and, along with their plastic packaging, generate a mammoth 200,000 tonnes of waste per year in the UK alone. That's plastic which can take up to 500 years to decompose and potentially release harmful chemicals into seas and rivers if not disposed of correctly. Fish have even begun ingesting it, causing damage to their insides.
Statistics show that the average woman in the UK uses more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products in her lifetime and spends over £18,000 on the luxury of having them. In 2010, a UK beach clean found an average of 23 sanitary pads and nine tampon applicators per kilometre of British coastline. As demand is so high, companies pile up more stock than necessary, and stores end up disposing of new, unopened packages that aren't bought, says Hayley Smith, founder of Flow Aid, an organisation that campaigns for free sanitary products for homeless women.
(Via: http://www.wired.co.uk/article/thinx-reusable-sanitary-products-environment-waste)
Perhaps a lot of women will feel bad after knowing this as if the pain and suffering they have to go through during that day of the month isn’t enough of a burden for them but we can't deny the need for many of these sanitary products to keep them sane and clean because women have special needs after all. Yet no amount of rationalizing will erase the fact that most sanitary products are made of 90% plastic. And we all know that plastic is (very) bad for the environment, right?
Perhaps it is no coincidence that the record-breaking fatberg was discovered during a week of coordinated nationwide beach clean-ups, run by volunteers (Monster fatberg found inside London sewer, 13 September). Fatbergs like the “monster” found in Whitechapel could easily be avoided, but it’s time for an honest discussion about the causes. It’s not just cooking oil but a range of other items that we flush down our loos.
Tampons are widely believed to be flushable but swell up in sewers, combining with oil to create impenetrable blockages. Blocked sewers overflow into rivers, leading to the oceans, hence the huge clean-ups needed every year to rid our beaches of so-called sanitary waste.
(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/18/how-to-win-the-battle-against-sanitary-waste)
Now you know. Your waste doesn’t just disappear off the face of the planet once it disappears from your sight. This trash accumulates in the drainage or sewer and can block the pipes. It becomes a major headache during the rainy season because it contributes to the flooding in your area. What’s worse is when they end up on natural water sources like the river and they get washed to the beach and endanger the lives of marine life in the ocean.
Conservationists are hyping up the issue because we all experience the negative impact of climate change for quite some time now. We have witnessed the intense power of hurricanes and the destruction it leaves behind. Many other natural calamities have intensified and became a really big threat to human lives and properties. Since we (especially women) can’t avoid the use of these hygienic products, developing better waste management techniques and systems is an acceptable solution to this problem that the government should look into now, not tomorrow.
The Problem With Hygiene Read more on: Iamnotanartist.org Blog
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Are You Ready To Adopt A Pet?
Not everyone is meant to be pet parents. It’s a reality of life. Some people don’t just have the soft spot to care for another living being that is not human. It takes a big heart and a great deal of patience to support the needs of an animal friend aside from showering them with the tender love and care they also need as much as humans do. And you would actually be surprised to learn that animals have a lot of needs too and caring for them can be quite expensive as well, so owning one as a pet isn’t really something for everyone. You have responsibilities as if you are also raising a young child. So imagine how difficult it must be for strays to keep themselves alive and safe from the elements without owners to look after them.
However, a lot of animals have recently become orphans because of the onslaught of the destructive hurricanes that hit certain parts of the nation. Some of them are already strays fending for themselves while the rest are pets that have either been left behind, in short abandoned, by or have been separated from their owners. Many of them were rescued by local animal shelters. Unfortunately, they are so many that these shelters can’t accommodate them all. So, are you ready to welcome one furry friend into your home or not?
This weekend, local animal lovers will have the chance to adopt cats and dogs affected by Hurricane Harvey free of charge.
The Aggieland Humane Society's annual fee-waived adoption event will be held on Saturday, hosted by the Sterling Subaru dealership in Bryan. The company has paid for all the adoption fees of Humane Society animals that will be available, including the standard "adoption package," which includes free microchipping, spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations and a month of pet insurance.
Several of the animals that will be available were displaced in Houston after Hurricane Harvey. The event will feature both adult cats and dogs, as well as puppies and kittens. Animals will be staged on site at the Sterling Subaru dealership off of Texas 6 in Bryan, from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.
(Via: http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/adopt-pets-from-aggieland-humane-society-for-free-this-weekend/article_488f804f-a16a-5aa6-9e40-0a64892f8bfa.html)
It’s probably the best time for you to become a pet owner yourself with the number of poor, homeless animals cramped in animal shelters right now. Well, some will eventually be fetched by their owners but many are still left homeless for long. Why not give it a try and experience for yourself what it is like to receive the unconditional love of another living being who patiently waits for you to come home each day.
“Seattle Humane staff and volunteers, along with several other local shelters, will be waiting to receive the animals,” spokeswoman Amanda Anderson. “This is the first of several expected flights to Seattle to help shelters that are directly housing displaced pets outside of Houston.”
The Seattle Humane team will transport pets to a shelter in Bellevue, where they will be placed for adoption. Seattle Humane, which started in Seattle and is now located on the Eastside, also is organizing an emergency foster care orientation for perspective volunteers who can temporarily house pets from Texas. People who want to volunteer are asked to email [email protected].
(Via: http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattle-humane-society-to-help-pets-from-texas-flooding/600137267)
Of course, the first priorities are the certified homeless animals while the ones with suspected owners or those with pet tags or those saved from abandoned homes will be left behind in shelters in the hopes that their owners will come back for them. Not everyone is expected to extend help and open up their homes to new animals, especially grown ones but it won’t hurt if you open up your mind and try caring for one before you even start complaining. Having a pet has its pros and cons but all your hardship won’t matter if you have fallen in love with that adorable four-legged creature that you now call your own.
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Let’s Talk About Music Piracy
Talent is usually God-given but you can work hard for it too. Some aren't really that talented but have harnessed their talent through years of training. Exceptional talent should be shared with everyone because not all are blessed to be as talented as these people are. One of the most followed and adored talent in the world has to do with music. Songs give meaning to our lives and we take delight in listening to them especially when we can relate to the song’s meaning or we simply like the melody. And for the longest time, singers and songwriters have made a living out of their talents. Some even earn millions to billions depending on their music and popularity.
While most of us know how to appreciate music and understand the effort that artists give in order to come up with really good songs, many don’t like buying actual records and pay for the artist’s hard work. Music piracy is a global problem and it is denying countless artists of their right to have ownership over their work and make money from it. They have dedicated their entire lives to making good music only to be pirated by others and leave them penniless and unable to pursue their passion anymore.
Music piracy is on the increase worldwide, with 40 percent of users are accessing unlicensed music, up from 35 percent last year, the global recorded music industry group IFPI said.
Internet search engines are making piracy easier, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) said in a report on Tuesday, calling for government action.
The increase in piracy follows a slump in recent years when policing of the digital music landscape appeared to be clamping down on the practice.
“Copyright infringement is still growing and evolving, with stream ripping the dominant method,” said IPPI chief, Frances Moore.
“With the wealth of licensed music available to fans, these types of illegal sites have no justifiable place in the music world,” she said, calling for greater regulation of the digital music sector.
(Via: http://www.manilatimes.net/music-piracy-increase-worldwide-industry-group/351544/)
It is a shame really that people have no regards for the artists’ livelihood when they pirate their music. This is the only way they make money and if the public has access to their music without paying the amount due to them, then what happens to them after? It is even easier now because of the web’s popularity. Those who want to listen to pirated songs can easily do this by “stream ripping” the content on the web. And the figures right now are far from comforting with 35% of web users doing it, which is up by 5% from the 30% figure last 2016.
The music industry—which has enjoyed a revival in profits after years of stagnation—has been increasingly aggressive in tackling piracy. In 2015, it succeeded in shutting the popular site Grooveshark.
IFPI also said that upload platform YouTube accounts for 46 percent of all the time spent listening to on-demand music but that this dominance was failing to create "fair value" for the music business.
It said the estimated annual revenue for the industry per user from Spotify was around $20 (17 euros), compared to less than $1 per user for YouTube.
The report also revealed the continuing rise in audio streaming.
It found that 45 percent of respondents were now listening to music through a licensed audio streaming service—up from 37 percent in 2016.
(Via: https://phys.org/news/2017-09-music-piracy-worldwide-industry-group.html)
In this case, technology is once again a double-edged sword. In one way, it helps artists improve their music and artistry through the use of various tech gadgets that highlight their natural talents. On one side, though, it is being used against the entire music industry by music pirates who want to enjoy the music of these artists virtually for free.
It’s even more convenient for them to do this today with the rise of the smart technology. Most people now own a smartphone or any smart gadget that allows them to access the web as long as they have data or can connect to a WiFi service. Addressing the problem of music piracy is still a work in progress and everyone involved in the field of music are doing their best to stop piracy from spreading further and giving the artists the remuneration they deserve for all their hard work.
Let’s Talk About Music Piracy was initially published on Iamnotanartist.org Blog
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A Globally-Interconnected Planet Via The World Wide Web
The world we are living in right now used to be just a dream to our ancestors. Life was simpler back then and there was little to distract you. While life was certainly less complex, it was mighty boring for some too. It’s perhaps also the reason why innovators pushed for the development of newer technologies that won’t just upgrade our lives but also connect us to the rest of the world. Who would’ve thought our most valued possession would eventually be the smartphone. It has served as our gateway to the rest of the world through the Internet. You can do almost everything virtually and in real time. No more is there a distance barrier that can prevent you from exploring opportunities and potential outside of your comfort zone. But also, you may find yourself in trouble.
We truly are living in a globally-interconnected planet. And you don’t have to go far or spend a lot of money in order to do so. No magic needed here either or some really amazing teleportation skills because all you need is your smart gadget and you’re good to go. And as the Internet’s technology progressed, social networking sites were born and made life even more vibrant and alive than before. You can now keep track of the lives of the people who mean the most to you or idols that you follow without going anywhere at all.
There is growing awareness of the importance of internet access to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. But as new players enter the race to connect the 4 billion people who remain offline, new questions are emerging about who is providing that connection and what their agenda is. As China’s interest in global development has grown, so too has its influence in the telecommunications sector, with two companies in particular — the privately owned Huawei and state owned ZTE — making up the majority of China’s efforts to connect the unconnected.
In Kenya, M-KOPA, which is known for its pay-as-you-go home solar energy systems, is now selling Huawei smartphones along with solar panels. Partnerships such as this result from work that Huawei has done to pioneer new models to provide access in rural areas where the business case is not always as clear, said Adam Lane, a senior director of public affairs for Huawei, who spoke with Devex from South Africa, but is mainly focused on Kenya.
(Via: https://www.devex.com/news/china-s-role-in-the-race-to-connect-the-next-billion-89900)
The race goes on. Despite the achievements that the Internet has now achieved today, it does not mean that everything stops here. New innovations are still being developed in the hopes of building better machines and truly creating smart cities that we have envisioned in the past. If you are an avid web surfer/user yourself, you’ll notice all those little changes that the web has undergone so far and is still going through as of the moment. Nothing is constant and we can only expect to see bigger and brighter things on the web in the years to come.
He was right. Today, 49% of the world’s population is connected online and an estimated8.4 billion connected things are in use worldwide.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is in full flower. The expanding collection of connected things goes mostly unnoticed by the public – sensors, actuators and other items completing tasks behind the scenes in day-to-day operations of businesses and government, most of them abetted by machine-to-machine “computiction” – that is, artificial-intelligence-enhanced communication. The most public items in the burgeoning IoT are cars, voice-activated assistants, appliances and other home systems, physician-prescribed or recommended health-monitoring devices, road sensors, public-safety and security devices, smart meters and personal fitness and health trackers for people and animals – dogs, cats, horses, cows and more. And then there are emerging IoT products that show how the urge to create connectivity extends to such prosaic items as toothbrushes, dental floss, hairbrushes, pillows, egg trays, wine bottle sleeves, baby monitors and changing tables, silverware, umbrellas, all manner of toys and sporting goods and remote-controlled pet food dispensers, to name a few.
(Via: http://www.pewinternet.org/2017/06/06/the-internet-of-things-connectivity-binge-what-are-the-implications/)
We may enjoy all the perks of modern living and being connected to the globe with just a push of a button but it has its downsides too. Today, we also have to worry about issues like data and cybersecurity now that criminals have found a new and profitable playground. There is a bigger risk involved as the IoT grows and more aspects of our lives are linked to the web. Knowing this reality is a great way to remind you to always exercise caution in all your virtual activities so as not to unnecessarily burden yourself with numerous tech-related problems that are costly and time-consuming to fix, if still salvageable, worse if it is not.
A Globally-Interconnected Planet Via The World Wide Web is courtesy of I Am Not An Artist Blog
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Can Playing Video Games Really Make You Healthy?
We all know that to stay healthy, once must stay active aside from eating right. Also, a sedentary lifestyle that most of us lead nowadays make us prone to developing ailments or predispose us to obesity because of the lack of movement our body needs in order to stay fit and healthy. There is no shortcut to health and wellness. Living healthily may look uncool compared to what the cool kids do these days, which is to hang out in posh and expensive cafes and eat in all the best food spots in town. A small minority are obsessed with video games, though, especially the males. They spend a great deal of time playing with games for hours on end and often binge eat on unhealthy foods that are convenient to eat like takeouts, pizza, burgers, fries, chips, and soda.
Playing with video games is obviously not a good way to boost your health as you sit for hours just glued to the screen but it seems that we have been mistaken all along because it can actually be put to good use. The truth is, people who are obsessed with video games are in their teens or are young adults with raging hormones. It means they are likely to have sexual contact but are the least educated when it comes to sexual health. With the help of this new video game technology, they can learn to better safeguard their health and avoid being in a compromising situation that can have a big impact on their life.
A videogame designed by Yale researchers to promote health and reduce risky behavior in teens improves sexual health knowledge and attitudes among minority youth, according to a new study. The findings validate the value of the videogame as a tool to engage and educate teens at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), said the researchers.
“We saw significant and sustained positive changes in terms of attitudes about sexual health and sexual health knowledge,” said Dr. Lynn Fiellin, associate professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine and in the Child Study Center.
(Via: https://news.yale.edu/2017/09/18/videogame-boosts-sex-health-iq-and-attitudes-minority-teens)
By focusing on these special video games instead, young teens can avoid catching some really nasty sexual infections and even have a good time while doing so. It’s really helpful as people rarely talk about these topics openly and it is also not discussed as extensively in school. Those in the minorities are even more ashamed to ask sex-related questions and end up making life-changing mistakes later on.
The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, validated that the video game can act as an accessible and portable tool to engage and educate teens at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“We saw significant and sustained positive changes in terms of attitudes about sexual health and sexual health knowledge,” said Lynn Fiellin, Associate Professor at the varsity. For the study, the team recruited more than 300 students, aged 11 to 14 in the US, to play the intervention game PlayForward: Elm City Stories, or one of several unrelated video games on iPad tablets for up to 75 minutes twice per week.
(Via: http://www.hindustantimes.com/sex-and-relationships/this-video-game-is-helping-teenagers-understand-sexual-health-better/story-o466Julk4jiIOreCIzSwzK.html)
These video games are the type that parents and support groups won’t be mad about since they are beneficial to your health. They serve a purpose considering they are labeled as intervention games, not just any other commercial game most people play with. The player’s progress is determined by their decisions and it determines how the game turns out in the end. It is similar to real life. The players realize that they shouldn’t be impulsive in their actions and think about things thoroughly at first before making big and costly mistakes that can ruin their lives such as contracting deadly venereal diseases that are without a cure. In turn, they may be able to apply these realizations in daily life and become healthier and the best versions of themselves too.
The article Can Playing Video Games Really Make You Healthy? was initially seen on The IANAA Blog
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Unintentional Video Game Masterpieces
Playing video games is one of the best past times. Many of you have probably enjoyed hours on end playing on video games in your youth. They are not just great boredom busters but you enjoy a lot too and the hours tick by without you noticing. Different video games have dominated the world over the years and certain ones stand out and define a certain era. Alongside it is the rising popularity of specific games consoles that made playing with these games possible for all of us. We may think that game developers always knew what they were doing in developing these iconic games but it appears that we are greatly mistaken. Just like with anything else in this world, some masterpieces were brought to life by accident. Some of these games are not an exception but we can’t deny how much they have shaped pretty much our entire childhood one way or the other.
Without these games, there would be less color in your life and you have little to talk about to friends as well. Some may actually be anti-social for a while and stay cooped up at home while playing with any of these video games all-day and all-night but it apparently has a profound impact to your life that you don’t easily notice at first. You may be surprised knowing that some of the games you loved and played for hours on end weren’t initially the plan but because fate intervenes, they unravel themselves at the perfect time and become a worldwide influence not just to kids who are obsessed in playing with many of these addicting video games but even to bored adults who just want to kill time without losing their sanity.
Games developers usually know exactly what they're doing. They approach a project with a specific vision, and the majority of the time, the finished article doesn't deviate too far from the sketches on the drawing board.
On other occasions, they encounter budgetary issues and creative roadblocks during the development process and are forced to make concessions, in some cases bigger than others, and this can completely reshape the game in question.
These cases are well documented, but there are rare instances where games have been created entirely by accident, in a way that's almost comparable to Sir Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin among his mouldy petri dishes.
There are cases where studio employees have had so much fun with bespoke non-gaming software that they've slapped it with a few bells and whistles and released it for public consumption. Other games started out in a different form until a glitch saw them mutate into something better, like Bruce Banner and the gamma bomb.
(Via: http://whatculture.com/gaming/7-iconic-video-games-that-were-created-by-accident)
Sometimes, these games were brought to life because its own creators had so much fun with it as well that they just felt the need to share it to others so they can also experience everything first-hand. Looking back, it seems amusing you were ever hooked to one of these games but then you actually did. We all go through that phase so it is understandable. An example is the viral game before that is Counter Strike. Its popularity was undeniable and almost every cool boy or guy knew how to play it. Some were even placing bets as to whose team will win the game and play it with their squad.
Japan didn't invent the first computer game. That accolade goes to "Space War!", a game created in 1962 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.
But ever since then, Japan has embraced gaming culture with an almost unrivaled passion. From the Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog games that became cultural giants, to the Sega Mega Drive and Game Boy consoles which were symbols of their time, gaming was led by Tokyo for decades.
"Without the contributions of Japan, we wouldn't have a video game industry," Blake J. Harris, a video game expert and author of "Console Wars," says. "Or, at least, not one that resembles what we have today in any way.
(Via: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/12/asia/future-japan-videogame-landmarks/index.html)
And whether or not some of these video games were accidental masterpieces or not, Japan’s contribution to the entire video gaming industry is undeniable. Video games won’t be so popular if not for the amazing work the Japanese put in on the technology that has even shaped history. Think Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Pacman, all legends in the field of video games before until now. Like whatever your age is, it is impossible that you haven’t yet heard about them over the years especially if you have kids because they will likely ask one from you if they haven’t yet. Until today, Japan still pioneers mind-blowing video gaming technology that will inevitably gift the world with more amazing games to capture our fancy and time as well whether by accident or not.
Unintentional Video Game Masterpieces Read more on: https://www.iamnotanartist.org
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What To Do When Your Data Disappears
These days, we can’t get our hands away from our tech gadgets. Whether it is something as handy as a smartphone or a tablet or iPad or something more sturdy and multi-functional like a laptop or computer, our lives now revolve around these tech innovations and people all over the world can relate to it. If you are some who makes use of computers in your day-to-day be it in school, work, or business, it is inevitable for you to make use of various sheets, slides, forms, and presentations in the many things that you do. However, there are instances when you may inadvertently lose your data for a lot of reasons (internal or external) that may leave you cringing in horror at what and how much you just lost.
Indeed, it is frightening to suddenly be confronted with lost files when you need them the most, like say an hour or two before an important meeting or presentation that means the world to you. But the thing is it can happen many times in your lifetime especially if you are not careful enough when using your computer or too careless to secure your data when you still can. Yes, you can make multiple copies of your files or save them to another device, storage equipment like a flash drive or an external hard drive or save it up in the clouds, you have far more options now that you did in the past. It all comes to doing all these precautions ahead of time to save yourself from all the hassle lost data brings. There are even more options to choose from and it is still possible to retrieve lost files if the damage is not that extensive and you still have time to contact a tech repairman the soonest time possible.
Some users may refresh the computer/removable disk, hoping that the missing file will come back automatically. However, that is not going to happen; and those people will miss the best chance to find recently deleted files by wasting time on this matter. Other would like to hire professionals to do the recovery work for them, but this could be costly and risky.
Here, we have a better suggestion –using the reliable data recovery software. We’ll recommend a popular one to you and then talks about the data recovery rates you care about.
Ensure Data Recovery Rates by Getting Professional Software
In addition to data recovery chances, you may also care about those things: how does data recovery software work, what are the data recovery process steps, etc. We plan to talk about them one by one.
Loved by lots of people, MiniTool Power Data Recovery provides high-quality disk data recovery service and helps to ensure the data recovery success rate. By using it, you can regain your lost files in only three simple steps.
(Via: http://www.mobilecomputingtoday.co.uk/6728/tips-ensure-enhance-data-recovery-rates-dramatically/)
Backing up your data is the most obvious precaution you can take but some miss out on this especially if their gadget is new. But what can you do then? For starters, there are also data recovery softwares you can purchase and install on your computer as your safety net for situations like this. When faced with data loss, don’t panic just yet even if you already want to cry your heart out. Compose yourself and analyze what just happened. There are various ways you can lose a file, so determine first what your problem is so you can think of a possible solution to the problem.
Before you do anything else, check the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS) to see if your files are there. If so, a right-click or a copy-and-paste is enough to restore your files to their former spot, and you can breathe easy again.
If your files are nowhere to be seen, check other places they might have been backed up to, like a photo library on the web (especially if you've wiped photos from your phone). You can restore your files without too much difficulty from Microsoft OneDrive and Apple iCloud, for example, if you're using those built-in services.
And by the way we fully recommend setting up OneDrive or iCloud—or a similar service like Dropbox or Google Drive—to automatically make backups of your most important files on the web. If your laptop should get stolen, your house should burn down, or you should accidentally delete a week's worth of work, you can restore files from the web interface on all of these platforms.
(Via: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/a26197/how-to-recover-deleted-files/)
A little common sense and being quick to act on these scenarios can help you get your lost data back especially when luck is also on your side. Most of the time, the first place you can check for anything missing on your files is the recycle bin. If it’s not there, it just means that you missed setting up a backup system on your computer especially if it is an older model. If nothing worked and you weren’t able to install a software recovery system as well, your last bet is to contact a professional to help you out. Not all of us has the technical know-how when it comes to complex computer issues so rather than aggravating the problem, just prepare your wallet and hire an expert before you cause more damage than there already is.
What To Do When Your Data Disappears is courtesy of IAMNotAnArtist.org
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Sleep Loss Caused Trains To Collide
Human beings have needs. Some are luxuries while many are basic necessities that we all need in order to live. Aside from food, clothing, and shelter, sleep is also a basic need that makes us function well in society. Aside from its restorative properties, one feels better and more alert after a good night’s sleep. Whether you are still a young child, a student, or an adult with work and other responsibilities, sleep is crucial in enabling us to do things efficiently most of the time. Unfortunately, because of the many distractions that we now have in the form of smartphones, other tech gadgets, and the mere existence of the web, we continually lose sleep day in and day out because of our own doing.
Meanwhile, some suffer from more serious and troublesome medical conditions like sleep disorders and the outcome may at times be disastrous. One of the most recent tragedy is the collision of two NY trains that resulted in the death of one individual and injuring over 100 passengers of the unfortunate trains. According to investigations, undiagnosed sleep apnea is the culprit why such a misfortune happened.
Two commuter train crashes in the New York City metropolitan area are being blamed on undiagnosed sleep apnea, according to an announcement yesterday from the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigations have determined that the conductors in both accidents—a September 2016 New Jersey Transit crash in Hoboken, New Jersey, that killed one person and a January 2017 Long Island Railroad derailment in Brooklyn that injured more than 100—fell asleep on the job due to the chronic condition.
Sleep apnea is a very common condition, and it’s easy for doctors to spot, says Allan Pack, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology. (Dr. Pack was not involved in the investigations above, and has not evaluated the train conductors.)
But even though knowledge about the condition is growing, says Dr. Pack, many people don’t realize they have a problem—and so it frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated. Here’s what he wants people to know about sleep apnea.
(Via: http://www.health.com/sleep/sleep-apnea-train-crashes)
Aside from the deadly breathing pauses sleep apnea sufferers face each day, the continuously interrupted sleep they experience on a daily basis is a major bummer that left many chronically sleep-deprived for a long time. It’s too bad for people who have to work with machines and equipment that may endanger their lives or that of others or drive vehicles that can pose a hazard in the streets. It’s simply what happened to these trains that collided with one another. Most of the time, people ignore the symptoms and go on with their lives not knowing how much of a danger they are to the people around them because they lack sleep that can help them fully-function at work.
The board plans to hold a Feb. 6 meeting on the September 2016 crash in Hoboken, New Jersey, that killed one person and injured more than 100 others, and the January accident in Brooklyn that left more than 100 people with non-life-threatening injuries.
Both engineers had no memory of the crashes and were severely overweight. The Centers for Disease Control says being overweight puts individuals at a higher risk of sleep apnea.
The disorder, characterized by shallow or interrupted breathing during sleep, often goes undiagnosed and can leave sufferers fatigued during the day, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
The safety board said the brakes were working on the New Jersey Transit train traveling at 8 miles (13 km) per hour 38 seconds before the crash. The train then accelerated to 21 mph at impact, twice the speed limit, and emergency brakes were applied one second before the crash.
(Via: http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trains-crash/u-s-safety-board-train-crash-engineers-had-sleep-disorders-idUSL2N1M21A5)
The engineers on-board those trains were later diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and obese as well. They admitted not remembering anything before the crash even if they were traveling at twice the normal train's speed. Hence, the rest of the engineers likewise underwent sleep testing and some of them turned out to be suffering from sleep apnea as well and are now getting treated. They don’t even have to try CPAP if they don’t like it since there are other options in the form of anti-snoring mouthpieces that mimics the effect of CPAP and save them from the woes of sleep apnea. We may underestimate the power of sleep but the lack of it can have a number of crazy and terrible consequences, which in this case led to the untimely demise of one unfortunate passenger.
Sleep Loss Caused Trains To Collide is courtesy of The I Am Not An Artist Blog
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Australia Won’t Be Making Cars Anymore
The world resources shift from one place to another. And we are not just talking about natural resources of a specific land or territory but any type of resources that we now use. Industries all over the world can relate to how the rise and fall of the global market affected their businesses. The sun is not always shining and when it does not, it can mean a certain doom to someone. Despite the rapid rise in the world’s population, there are markets that crash because the supply and demand have shifted or that someone else has taken over their target market.
It is the plausible explanation why the Australian auto manufacturing industry just bid everyone goodbye. For a long time, Australians had been making their own cars but sadly, it has come to an end and countless employees suddenly found themselves without a job to bring in the bacon. Even foreign car brands have been shutting down production over recent years and the people are partly blaming the government for the death of the car manufacturing industry down under. The factors highlighted were high production costs, the high Australian dollar, and the continuously diminishing local market all contributed to this problem. The particular car brand, Holden, is synonymous to Australia. But foreign car makers are unbeatable and the Aussie domestic makers are nowhere near their scale.
There has been a car industry in Australia for almost as long as there have been cars. Friday’s closure in Elizabeth, a suburb of Adelaide, left many questioning why the government did not step in and save the country’s once-vibrant auto industry, when auto manufacturers in the United States and elsewhere received big bailouts to stay afloat.
Auto plants in Australia have slowly been closing over the last several decades, with Ford, Toyota and now Holden, a General Motors subsidiary, shutting their manufacturing operations over roughly the last year.
Some blame the industry’s demise on the government’s refusal in 2013 to come to the rescue of the country’s automakers as they were battered by a high Australian dollar, high production costs and a shrinking domestic market.
Union officials estimated about 30,000 people lost their jobs as a result of the recent closures. In the area north of Adelaide, which has at times had South Australia’s highest unemployment rate and where Holden was the largest employer, nearly 1,000 people were left looking for work as a result of the automakers decision to cease production.
(Via: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/world/australia/holden-automaker-factory-closes.html)
When one door closes, a window opens. Aussies can hold on to that saying even if many of those who were laid off are saying that they are having a hard time looking for a new one while it seems next to impossible for the older workers to even snatch a job at all. It is one dim reality they have to face because their industry failed to meet global standards. Those who took their Holden cars on the streets to show off understand pretty well that this is an end to an era of Australian car-making and they probably won’t be able to revive this industry anymore anytime soon.
The closures mark the end of home-grown icons such as the Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon driven by Mel Gibson in the original “Mad Max” movie. But they also strike an economic blow, especially in the rust belt state of South Australia, where recent signs of recovery haven’t been enough to stop people leaving in droves.
"It is clear that the automobile industry is a very significant industry that once it is gone, will leave a very deep economic gap, an investment gap and an employment gap,” said John Spoehr, a professor of economics and director of the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute at Flinders University in Adelaide. “Holden injects a billion dollars plus into the South Australia economy. So its loss is going to be very significant.”
(Via: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-19/death-of-australian-car-making-leaves-chasm-in-blue-collar-towns)
The parade is the last thing Holden car owners can do to commemorate the contribution of this car brand to the Australian economy and identity. Vintage may be out for many but it is for these proud owners who appreciate the contribution of Holden not only to the county but to their lives. Now, the people are hoping that the government will intervene and help everyone affected move on from this experience especially the ones who lost their jobs because of the closure. And we are not just talking about the ones working in the plants but even those of companies providing products and services to this plant for years. There’s this domino-effect that will have more implications for the country’s economy if the state won’t be able to clean up their mess this time.
Australia Won’t Be Making Cars Anymore was initially published to The IANAA Blog
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Facebook’s Stance On Immigration
People move places all the time. Although we have long since abandoned our nomad lifestyle, there is still a likelihood for individuals to move to another place or country in the course of their lifetime. It is what we commonly call immigration. People migrate for a lot of reasons although the top reasons are because of work, or attending an educational institution or they got married and is moving to the hometown of their spouse for good. Sometimes, people from a certain place tend to migrate to a particular country but there are times when it differs a lot from person to person. After all, the world is our oyster and nothing should stop us from exploring every nook and cranny of this planet if we have the means to do so. Other times, wanderers fall in love with a certain place or with a particular local that they end up staying there far longer than they initially intended.
Over the years, we have seen philanthropist businessmen speak up on various causes that are personally important or relevant to them. Migration has been one of those issues and continues to be a topic of debate especially at a time today when terrorism continues to be a threat to everyone. For instance, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook is pro-immigration and advocates less restrictive policies from the Trump administration. However, it seems that his business policies collide with his personal beliefs and ideals knowing that the company has been maximizing profits from anti-immigration groups in America in their ad campaign. Now, everyone can see the double mask Facebook is wearing when it comes to the topic of immigration as its owner speaks up about liberal migration ideas but the company does the exact opposite.
That legacy of dreamy utopianism continues to inform the tech industry’s self-perception, even as its financial imperatives collide with its politics. On Thursday night, Reuters reported that Facebook and Google were among nearly two dozen companies planning to launch a group to lobby for bipartisan legislation to protect DACA recipients, better known as Dreamers. The group, called the Coalition for the American Dream, will try to enlist other companies in urging Congress to pass legislation codifying the Obama-era program, which Donald Trump has said he will rescind. If he does, nearly 800,000 Dreamers will be at risk of deportation.
Facebook C.E.O. Mark Zuckerberg, who helped found a pro-immigration reform group in 2013, has been particularly vocal in pushing back against the Trump administration’s more restrictive policies. But Facebook's idealistic self-perception seems to be at odds with its advertising goals. As Bloomberg reported this week, both Facebook and Google worked diligently to maximize the reach of Islamophobic video ads for an anti-refugee nonprofit called Secure America Now. The nonprofit reportedly spent “millions” in ad dollars to ensure that its videos—including one that portrayed “colorful scenes of Main Street America” along with “black-and-white pictures of Muslims who have carried out attacks in the U.S.,” and another that imagined France and Germany governed by Sharia law—had maximum impact on both platforms. (Facebook and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.)
(Via: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/10/why-zuckerbergs-new-immigration-activism-rings-hollow)
We can’t just easily discredit Facebook, though, even if we don’t always see things eye to eye. For many Americans, we value our safety as much as our liberty. While we do not want to alienate anyone foreign, we have no choice but to do so when it is our safety and security that is at risk. The U.S. has been on top of the list of Islamic terrorists and we have witnessed time and again how many innocent Americans fall prey and die in the hands of these murderers that we allowed to come into our country. It’s no wonder that more Americans are getting themselves involved when it comes to policies like immigration that affects the national interests because we want to limit the potential threat that can gain access to our country through stricter immigration policies.
Some 800 companies signed a letter to Congressional leaders after Trump’s decision, calling for legislation protecting Dreamers. That effort was spearheaded by a pro-immigration reform group Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg co-founded in 2013 called FWD.us.
Many of the companies that endorsed that letter are named as joining the new coalition. The group has planned to take out ads in news publications, though this is subject to change, according to an email last week seen by Reuters.
“Dreamers are part of our society, defend our country, and support our economy,” said one of the coalition documents, which is being shared by the group to recruit additional companies.
(Via: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-dreamers/tech-companies-to-lobby-for-immigrant-dreamers-to-remain-in-u-s-idUSKBN1CP03Z)
As globalization continues to shape the way the world works right now, boundaries are ever changing and people are more tempted to go to far away places in pursuit of their interests, opportunities, and greener pastures. These big tech companies can really relate to this problem because many of the bright and talented people working for them are at times undocumented or has a hard time securing legal papers to work in the country. They even coined the term “Dreamers” to describe them as people full of dreams and aspirations and hopefully influence the White House to be more lenient on their restrictions. However, with the obvious conflicts of interests these companies have like that of Facebook, we’ll see how things go in the months and years to come.
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What’s It Like To Be A Parent Today
Parenting is no joke. We’ve heard it time and again. Those who are not yet parents tend to shrug this off since they still can’t relate to it but becoming a parent is both a fulfilling and frustrating journey that parents all over the world can relate too even if they come from diverse backgrounds. From the news of the pregnancy to labor and delivery and the actual raising of the child from infant to adult, there are many experiences that will bring tears and sadness but are all a part of the very fabric of life. It’s not always a walk in the park, so do not delude yourself into believing it will be if you are a new parent because it won’t, so deal with it.
However, the times have changed. While the very essence of parenthood remains the same, there are obviously many changes and factors that we need to take into consideration. First, technology is a big part of our lives today. Just how much technology will you allow your child to use or expose them to are perennial questions? Next, the environment itself has changed. People’s behaviors and accepted norms are no longer the same as it was twenty years ago when most parents today were kids themselves. And since our basic role in this world was to go henceforth and procreate, let’s try to unravel how parenting has changed and evolved in the 21st century.
Other findings include that 95% of families with young kids have smartphones (up from 63% in 2013 and 41% in 2011), and 78% have tablets (up from 40% in 2013 and 8% in 2011).
"In today's tech-driven world, where things are moving so quickly, it is really important to step back and take a hard look at what technology kids are using and how they are using it," James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense, said in a statement. "Over the last six years, we have seen massive growth in media use and tablet ownership, and we haven't even begun to experience the explosion of new technologies like virtual reality and voice-activated assistants in our homes. If we want to ensure our kids develop well and are successful in life, we have to make sure they get the most out of tech while protecting them from potential risks — and that means paying close attention to the role media is playing in their lives."
(Via: http://www.refinery29.com/2017/10/177399/kids-smartphones-ipads-survey)
Yes, the facts have spoken. Technology rules the world, our homes, and our kid’s lives. They use too much technology that they miss out on many things parents used to do in their childhood like playing outside, making meaningful and real relationships with the people around them, and actually doing things rather than watching people do it on Youtube or whatever SNS accounts they are using. It is obviously a major cultural shift that affects millions of kids throughout the globe where technology plays a dominant role in the people’s day-to-day lives. The danger here is that since parents work during the day and usually don’t have the time to supervise their children 24/7, they aren’t aware of their child’s social activities on the web and its impact on them.
"We postulate that socioeconomic conditions drive how much control or monitoring parents exercise on their children's choices."
Using the World Value Survey, the co-authors asked which values they found most important in child rearing. They found permissive or more laid back parents emphasize the values of imagination and independence when bringing up their children. The authoritarian and authoritative parents insist on the importance of hard work and obedience, respectively.
They show that parents in countries with more unequal economic conditions are more authoritarian and authoritative in style. In countries with better redistribution of wealth – more social expenditure and stronger civil rights protections, parents are significantly more permissive or relaxed in their parenting style.
The researchers believe their theory can help explain the recent rise of ‘helicopter parenting’, which is a version of the authoritative style in which parents try to influence their children's choices with intense monitoring and persuasion.
(Via: http://honey.nine.com.au/2017/10/11/14/22/helicopter-parenting-influenced-by-economic-factors)
Parenting styles differ from one place to another as socioeconomic factors are taken into context. In a progressive country like ours where everyone is competitive but opportunities are kind of limited, you can expect parents to teach their kids to value education at an early age especially that there are exams they should pass and other kids are studying hard as well, so competition is tough. Ivy league schools are highly selective and you really have to invest in good study habits at a young age to make it there. Helicopter parents ensure that their kids achieve their dreams (or most likely their parent’s dreams for them), so they oversee everything they do day in and day out. Even tech use is limited (a blessing for parents and a punishment for the kids) so they can focus more on studying and less dilly-dallying.
Meanwhile, things are done differently in other nations because of cultural differences and the big economic gap. Yet one thing remains, parents only want the best for their children and whether they are pushy or lenient in their upbringing reflects what they think is best for their kids from their own point of view with all factors taken into consideration.
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Don’t Dilly Dally And Do Your Christmas Shopping Now
I’m sure many of you are aware by now that Christmas is already around the corner. Halloween is still a fresh memory for some and Thanksgiving is fast approaching but we know what follows next, right? Some people only got their eyes on Christmas especially the young because why shouldn’t they? It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And we know what’s as equally good as sumptuous meals and bonding with family and friends – Christmas presents. Some people put in a lot of effort and spend time in looking for or crafting the best presents for the people who mean the most to them. However, because of life responsibilities, many put off holiday shopping until about the last minute and panic at not completing their gifts yet and that prices have soared significantly and the choices limited. Meanwhile, the smart folks just find excellent sales online and get their shopping done quickly!
We must admit it that as easy as it may sound, gift-shopping is no easy task. First of all, you need extra money to pay for gifts and you need time to put together the list of people you are giving gifts to and what they would likely want to receive from you. It’s almost next to impossible if you’re a busy millennial today that juggles a lot of work, social, family, and personal tasks and issues on a day-to-day basis. And many times, most of you will likely put it off for as long as you can because you justify by saying that Christmas is still far away but reality check, that day will eventually come sooner rather than later. So, why not get started on it today when you still have time to choose for presents and not just grab the first thing you see on the shelves during last-minute shopping.
Plan ahead
This is crucial. Heading into town without a list of people you need to buy for and a vague idea of what their presents should be is how disasters like last year happen - when you forgot to get Aunty Sally anything and she cried and asked you why you can’t be more like your sister.
Carefully check and double check that you’ve got the right amount of names on your list – run past Mum if necessary. Then, work out a gift idea for each person. Write down the names of the shops that’ll sell it.
This is a no-fail Christmas shopping tip. Always plan ahead and do your research. You should know who to gives gifts to and what possible gifts to buy and then scout the local shopping scene in your area if where you can go to first or which shops sell the best deals among the items that you are looking for.
Don’t get hung up
You're not going to get the ‘perfect’ present through one day of shopping. You’ve got about as much chance of nailing Dad’s best ever present in the time you’ve given yourself than Donald Trump does of convincing us he’s not one of those aliens off The Simpsons in disguise.
You’re aiming for a ‘good’ level of present which means that, rather than trying to be totally unique, stick to standard dad gifts; DVDs, socks, books by comedians you don’t find funny… It’s time to accept defeat and do what you can in the time you’ve got left.
(Via: https://www.nowtolove.com.au/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/how-to-do-all-your-christmas-shopping-in-one-day-1-42794
Of course, we want to give perfect presents and not just any present to our loved ones but let’s be realistic too. You may have to scout several shops first before you can find something that catches your fancy and might meet your gift criteria that most importantly fits your budget. You don’t just buy any gift. Remember that. And while it is not possible to do it in one day alone, you can do so much quicker if you try another unconventional way of shopping that is common nowadays – online shopping.
Massey University Professor of Marketing Harald van Heerde said the digital age of shopping was already encroaching on consumer habits by way of cross-shopping.
"I think the big trend is this cross-shopping where consumers use multiple channels, physical stores and online, and they search both and then finally make the purchase either online or offline."
The professor said this situation, where consumers used physical stores as fitting rooms before purchasing items for a cheaper rate online, had already presented itself as a big fear for brick and mortar stores.
(Via: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11944636)
Let’s face it. A big chunk of the population has chosen online shopping as their preferred way of buying things. It’s more convenient and you have just as many choices as the entire mall without having to walk a single step at all. Everything can be conveniently done with a click of a button and you’re good to go. Your items will be delivered to your doorstep. It’s no wonder many have given up on traditional shopping altogether as they hate the idea of shopping in crowded places for hours and still end up empty-handed because you did not find anything you like. Such an irony, really. It’s also to blame why many big establishments and malls are closing up as there are no more people coming there to buy. But for you, you no longer have to worry about finishing your Christmas list ahead of time by ordering online and you still have days to spare even after your orders have arrived to make time for gift-wrapping.
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Advocating For Mental Health
Life is not easy but you learn to cope. However, there are people who have a hard time doing that. These people end up hurting/ cutting or starving themselves, bottling up their emotions leading to depression and even taking their own lives when nothing else works.
Being mentally healthy is important to not only function like a normal human being but to also keep your head above the problems you are facing. There are days that will really be too bad where you just want to curl up in bed and do nothing but eventually, you have to face reality and move on. That is the only way to live and thrive in this world we live in. It’s never easy but you got to keep trying.
Spending three months in a hospital bed is a tough pill to swallow for anyone. It's even more difficult when your anxiety kicks into high gear.
Joe Bietola has been anxious all his life. It came to a head when he fractured his leg, and was sent to Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare for several weeks. Confined to a room, unable to get around on his own, Bietola's anxiousness only got worse as each day passed. He described it like being a zombie in bed.
People cope differently. While we may all put up a good front on our social media accounts, deep down we are hiding our own demons we are too scared to face.
Bietola's leg injury wasn't the only thing getting treated. Mental health support was right at his fingertips.
"I wasn't sleeping. When they addressed it, I started to calm down, all the symptoms started to go [away]. They helped me really good," he said.
Simple things like talking with a trained mental health physician, being prescribed the correct anxiety medication or just getting out of the room helped ease his mind. A nurse and psychiatrist specifically focussed on his mental well-being saw him on a regular basis.
"A lot of times you don't feel like getting out of bed, but you have to force yourself," he said.
(Via: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/mental-health-doctors-help-discharge-patients-on-time-you-feel-better-1.4045962)
It is not unusual for a person to exhibit physical symptoms when their mental state is not in good shape. Even the royalties who live in luxury and the admiration of the public understands the importance of mental health. And what’s even more important is for everyone to overcome the stigma associated with it.
When it comes to attitudes to mental health in Britain, we are now at a "tipping point", the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have said today, as they recruit a host of high-profile public figures to help "shatter the stigma".
The senior Royals have today launched the next stage of their Heads Together campaign: a series of 10 videos designed to spark "simple conversations" about mental health.
Starring the likes of Andrew Flintoff, Ruby Wax, Stephen Manderson and Alastair Campbell, the videos are part of the Royals' ongoing battle to break down the "walls of judgement" they perceive to be standing in the way of progress.
(Via: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/changing-minds-young-royals-video-campaign-tackle-mental-health/)
More people now begin to understand the correlation between physical health and mental health. But despite that, many of us still struggle because the world is much different now than in the past. Overexposure to social media can do that to you. You never knew you had so many deficiencies and insecurities until you see the lives of every person you know.
"I had more people crying in my office the day after the election than honestly I've had since the day after 9/11," Dan Hartman, a Philadelphia-based psychiatrist, told Philly.com about his patients’ reactions to Donald Trump becoming president. Four months in, the wounds are still fresh, and the Trump administration, with its trampling of rights, unending legislative chaos and wholesale disregard for the truth, continues to cause millions of heart palpitations, insomniac nights and untreatable migraines.
The White House occupants also remain steadfastly committed to wreaking havoc on our mental states. As Republicans pushed an insurance bill that would have done lasting damage to Americans’ mental and behavioral health well-being, clinicians reported the psychic wages of the Trump war against U.S. citizens. “Add up the additional medications prescribed, extra ER visits, delayed procedures, missed work, plus the fallout from other illnesses being relegated to the back burner, and you have the makings of a major medical toll from this election,” Danielle Ofri, a physician at Bellevue Hospital and professor of medicine at New York University, warned at Slate.
(Via: http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/5-ways-trump-mentally-torturing-us-now)
And this is what we all get for not knowing any better - a president who knows nothing about politics and proves it for the entire world to know after assuming office. None of the policies he has pushed for, so far, will do good for the nation – not even his immigration policies can save himself from messing up early in his administration.
And the majority of the population who did not support his candidacy are now suffering from poor mental health because they can’t comprehend that he really did win. We are talking about the future of an entire nation, not just a business enterprise, so we can understand pretty well why people suddenly suffer from anxiety or depression after his win. Now, he’s adding more damage to injury by depriving Americans of affordable health care. Can it possibly get any worse?
Advocating For Mental Health See more on: IANAA
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Why People Travel The World
Traveling is good for the soul. It not only lets you enjoy a new place, culture, food, and attractions but is refreshing to the soul. You get to experience many new firsts in your life while enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation – far away from the daily grind of life and the stressors you face each day back home.
While money is definitely an issue when it comes to traveling – especially international travels – there are different ways to make up for your lack of funds without totally eliminating the chance of going somewhere new.
“When you leave your hometown, your country you are not just experiencing something different abroad,” Hsu said. “You are not just learning something about somewhere else, but you are also learning a lot about where you came from. That is the part that people forget — that when you leave your comfort zone you’re the one who’s undergoing a change.”
(Via: http://www.idsnews.com/article/2017/03/speaker-shares-the-importance-of-travel-for-all-people)
And it couldn’t be any truer. Traveling opens up your eyes to the natural beauty and wonder of this world and the differences in culture from one place to another.
We all have busy lives now with classes and jobs, but when we graduate, life is only going to get more chaotic. We think traveling for college students is crucial because it allows us to gain more cultural and practical knowledge and first hand experience.
Traveling also allows everyone in general to become more empathetic for other people. We are extremely privileged to live in the United States, but sometimes we forget that some people in other parts of the world are not as privileged as we are.
There are also some cities and states within the U.S. that are not as privileged as others, and by traveling, you can gain some insight into how other people live. t’s always good to see points of view that are different from your own.
We also believe that, we as individuals who are in a state of growing, learn empathy from traveling. Through travel, we get to meet different kinds of people and we learn how differently expressive but how similar we all are. It is enriching to travel.
(Via: http://www.theutcecho.com/editorial-importance-of-travel/)
Meanwhile, there isn’t much travel going on in mainland US and the answer is pretty obvious. The various travel bans recently issued has put the US tourism in a major slump and it’s not good news for any business relying on tourists in making money.
The U.S. travel industry is worried that a slew of travel restrictions proposed by the Trump administration will damage foreign tourism and deal a blow to the economy.
The White House’s ban on visitors from six majority-Muslim countries, now on hold due to litigation, is just one of several Trump policies that could affect the $250 billion travel sector. Travel groups are also concerned about tougher vetting of travel visas, increased airport detentions and new restrictions on fliers using electronic devices.
Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said that while the nation’s security is a top priority, Trump’s new travel protocols could discourage or turn away the millions of legitimate U.S.-bound tourists who pour money into the economy every year.
“Our message to the president is very simple: We support security because it’s job No. 1,” Dow said.
“The easy message is to say America is closed to terrorism, but we’re wide open to legitimate travelers and we welcome them,” he said. “We want them.”
(Via: https://origin-nyi.thehill.com/policy/transportation/326413-us-travel-industry-fears-trump-slump)
Most people dream of traveling to far away places. While it remains to be a dream for some, there are people who strive to make their dreams happen. By visiting one place at a time, you’d be able to go see the places on your bucket list in time. Traveling is truly a gift and you should go explore as many places as you can while you're still young.
For an average American, you don’t have to go far because there are 49 states in the mainland you can visit aside from those outlying U.S. territories. If money is not an issue, then the world is your oyster. Just make sure you are a legally documented American citizen or you might have a hard time going back home when your vacation is over.
The following article Why People Travel The World Find more on: Iamnotanartist.org Blog
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Art Collections No More
All of us have a collection of sorts over the years. As a young child, you likely have collected various knick knacks that you found nice and fancy enough to show off to your friends. And your collection often reflects your interests during those periods of growing up. These collections may be considered as rubbish by others because most of them often lack in monetary value. However, they are the beginning of an obsession that the person will carry in his lifetime.
Among the most sought after is an art collection. This is an expensive and classy collection you can be proud of and even pass on to your children. Their value increases over time which makes owning one even better. Regardless of the style you like, there is something that will appeal to your senses and earn your thumbs up.
Every company wants to stand out in their industry. To make your company an original, you need to apply some artistic creativity to the decisions you make. The simplest way to tap into that innovative spirit may be to start learning about and collecting art. Although more and more tech moguls are breaking into the art-collecting world, that doesn’t mean it’s confined to the elite.
Even young entrepreneurs can get into the game if they play it right. In the 1960s, Herb and Dorothy Vogel, a postal service worker and a librarian, began collecting minimal and conceptual art. Despite financial limitations, they allotted a certain percentage of their salary to buying art. Over time, they collected more than 4,000 works of art, which could’ve netted the couple millions of dollars if that was their interest. Instead, the Vogels donated their collection to 50 institutions across 50 states.
The process of creating your art collection is an art form in its own right. When you’re passionate about the arts, you can commit to the long journey of collecting without worrying about what you’ll get out of it. And by supporting art institutions and artists, both you and your company can experience a wide range of benefits.
(Via: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/242588)
Art collections are such eye candies. You can spend a great deal of time immersed in each painting and witness how talent comes to life. But while we try to look at art and art collections as an artistic expression, we can’t help but notice that many art pieces also have political meanings.
Art has always been political, because art is part of the culture. Culture is based on shared values, and those are the result of group decisions. Group decision-making is the definition of politics.
Additionally, because patrons are important for artists, art has always commented on wealth or influence. Whether praising it, or critiquing it, art is inherently concerned with power. At its best, this includes patrons like the Medicis of Florence backing the works of the Renaissance giants. In our own era, this usually takes the form of the public funding creative work through direct purchase. When we buy a ticket to a Scorsese movie, we don’t think of ourselves as playing the role of a Rockefeller funding a filmmaker, but in effect, that’s what we’re doing. Bernini had Pope Urban VIII as his patron; The Pixies had the American consumer.
And we Americans are lucky enough to be the cradle of such a grand display of talent. The question now is, do the arts get the support it needs?
Nowhere is power and influence so concentrated as in New York City, and, unsurprisingly, the world of art resides there as well. It would be interesting to draw a map of the creative ley lines running between Manhattan, home of private art grants, and Washington, D.C., home of government art grants. Indeed, it is within these two cities that our story lies.
(Via: https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/01/podesta.html)
We can’t help but inject some political tone here because the culture and the arts are under some major political attack in the form of budget cuts.
As the Trump administration releases its first federal budget plan, it’s clear that weapons companies and wall builders make out spectacularly. While they plan to increase defense spending, pave a way for the border wall and increase school vouchers, everything else of importance to the American people gets cut or eliminated—like job training programs for seniors and disadvantaged youth, Meals on Wheels and medical research, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which provides revenue for PBS and National Public Radio) just to name a few.
Other programs proposed for elimination are the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Because who needs any kind of culture anyway, right?
(Via: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/3/16/1644167/-Who-needs-art-and-culture-anyway-Good-thing-because-they-are-not-included-in-Trump-s-budget-plans)
President Trump is probably one of the biggest hurdles the world of the arts (in America) has ever faced in recent years. The threat is real and people’s lives will be affected by this lack of funding. President Trump does not consider the arts as important as national defense, hence it is one of the first ones to go in his administration. A country devoid of the arts lacks an identity that a certain place exudes. Only a miracle can save the industry from the challenges it is now facing.
The following blog post Art Collections No More Read more on: https://www.iamnotanartist.org
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The Performing Arts Go Digital
If everything was set in black and white, the world would surely be such a boring and drab place to live in. The arts gave a new meaning to the world – allowing people to express their raw talent and inner creativity and bring some color and life to the world. We often associate the arts with artworks and art pieces but they are not the only form of artistic expression there is.
The performing arts are the fluid display of artistic talents in the form of music, dance, acting, and poetry among others. Their performances not only take your breath away but benefit you as well – whether you are the performer or the audience sitting in the crowd. Performers not only learn and enhance their skill set but get to mingle with people in their field who appreciates their talent or help grow their professional connection.
The site, performingartstutor.com, gives members space to advertise to the public and each other, connecting tutors with schools, as well as providing a place for parents and students to find individual teachers.
Launched by Laura Harwood, who has run performing arts schools in the past, the site is also a forum and resource library providing news, features and research for members.
Membership of the site costs £35 for an individual 12-month membership or £50 for a school or group for a year.
Harwood said independent training providers had traditionally been underrepresented professionally.
“These schools and individuals are the feeders for the next stage of professional training, which is well represented, and they want to ensure that their practice is relevant and meets the demands of the industry. The idea was to provide as much tried and tested support as possible in one place as well as information on the latest industry trends and research,” she told The Stage.
(Via: https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2017/online-network-performing-arts-training-launches/)
And since almost everything has gone digital these days, it makes perfect sense why the performing arts should also take advantage of the advancing technology to stay relevant in an increasingly globally competitive world. Many actually look down on artists and don’t take their contribution to society seriously but the truth is, the performing arts have helped shaped the world we live in for a long time now.
The daylong expo united art, science and engineering and showcased exhibitions, performances and panel discussions from faculty, guest artists and technologists, and students of all disciplines. New technologies, prototypes and virtual environments were on display in nearly all corners of the institute.
“Every gallery is curated by a group of students. Students submit work from all over the school and curators fight over what they want in their space,” said Ajay Kapur, associate dean for research and development in digital arts and Digital Arts Expo director. “The staff are not involved… the students all bring it together.”
Kapur began the Digital Arts Expo six years ago as a “renegade show” in a CalArts hallway to showcase the work his students were doing in the classroom.
“It kept growing over the years,” he said. “This gives them a venue to showcase the work of all disciplines.”
The Expo also showcased how art-fueled technologies can move across disciplines, as artists collaborate with one another and look for new ways to approach art, communication, engineering and design.
(Via: https://signalscv.com/2017/05/04/calarts-bridges-gap-art-science-engineering-digital-arts-expo/)
Artists can also make the most of the technology to bring their artistry to the next level. For instance, the Digital Arts Expo serves as a platform to showcasing the works of art of these artists in this digital day and age. It’s actually normal for artists to make use of the technology they have around them in their artistic expression. Throughout history, you’ll see artworks and performances depicting major issues faced in that period of history. We also use it now to understand ancient civilizations by studying artifacts they left behind in this world.
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